System and method for implementing and accessing call forwarding services

ABSTRACT

A system and method include implementing and accessing a subscriber&#39;s telecommunications services, using a graphical user interface (GUI) via the Internet, and an interactive voice response (IVR) system via the public switched telecommunications network (PSTN). The system and method enable a subscriber to review, schedule and modify call forwarding information stored and implemented by a service control point (SCP) through a common server from any dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) telephone and IVR system via the PSTN or any GUI and Web client via the Internet. The subscriber is able to build and edit call forwarding data, such as a scheduler and priority and rejection screening lists, by the GUI via the Internet for subsequent implementation.

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/716,276, filed Nov. 21, 2000, which is acontinuation-in-part, of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/619,312,filed Jul. 19, 2000, and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/545,459, filed Apr. 7, 2000, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/128,474 filed onApr. 9, 1999, entitled “Internet Caller Identification System” to ADAMSet al., the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by referenceherein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications.More particularly, the present invention relates to call forwardingservices that enable subscribers to forward calls to alternativelocations.

[0004] 2. Acronyms

[0005] The written description provided herein contains acronyms whichrefer to various telecommunications services, components and techniques,as well as features relating to the present invention. Although some ofthese acronyms are known, use of these acronyms is not strictlystandardized in the art. For purposes of the written description herein,the acronyms are defined as follows:

[0006] Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN)

[0007] Authentication/Subscription Information (ASI)

[0008] Caller Identification (Caller ID)

[0009] Central Office (CO)

[0010] Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)

[0011] Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF)

[0012] Graphical User Interface (GUI)

[0013] Generic Data Interface (GDI)

[0014] HyperText Mark-Up Language (HTML)

[0015] HyperText Transfer Language Protocol (HTTP)

[0016] Incoming Call Manager (ICM)

[0017] Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

[0018] Internet Caller Identification (ICID)

[0019] Internet Call Waiting (ICW)

[0020] Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)

[0021] Line Information Database (LIDB)

[0022] Outgoing Call Control (OCC)

[0023] Personal Computer (PC)

[0024] Personal Call Manager/Personal Communications Manager (PCM)

[0025] Personal Identification Number (PIN)

[0026] Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)

[0027] Registration Server (RS)

[0028] Service Control Point (SCP)

[0029] Service Management System (SMS)

[0030] Service Node/Intelligent Peripheral (SN/IP)

[0031] Service Switching Point (SSP)

[0032] Signaling System 7 (SS7)

[0033] Signaling Transfer Point (STP)

[0034] Terminating Attempt Trigger (TAT)

[0035] Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP)

[0036] Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

[0037] World Wide Web (WWW)

[0038] Background Information

[0039] Currently, subscribers to call control services within the publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) are able to initiate and modify theirservices by calling a customer service representative or by interactingwith an interactive voice response (IVR) system using a standard dualtone multi-frequency (DTMF) telephone device. These methods practicallylimit the number and types of services that can be provided to andmodified by the subscribers because all information pertaining to theservices is presented audibly. In addition, the potential market forsubscribers to call control services is not fully exploited because ofcustomer reluctance to use IVR systems.

[0040] There have been attempts to remedy the problems associated withIVR access to PSTN services. These attempts incorporate use of packetswitched data networks, such as the Internet, to avoid conventional IVRsystems and to streamline the initiation and modification functions. Thecurrent Internet based systems have several drawbacks, however,including the inability to ensure near real-time update of services andincompatibility with existing IVR implementations.

[0041] For many call control services, subscribers must submit requeststo the customer service arm of their provider to initiate new servicesor update existing ones. The requests are implemented according to theprovider's time line and discretion. It is difficult for the users togauge when the service alteration will take effect. Also, because thecurrent Internet based systems operate exclusively from the conventionalIVR systems, i.e., the two systems cannot coexist, customers must selecteither the Internet interface or the IVR interface. Consequently, acustomer who has selected the Internet interface, and who is without aPC and/or Internet access, is not able to make desired changes to his orher services through an IVR. The inability to implement desired changesis especially troublesome considering that users are often interested inaltering some call services (e.g., call forwarding, paging, and callerID) when they are away from their home or business telephone and PC.

[0042] An example of call control services provided over a packetswitched data network is described in CHANG et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,958,016, which teaches enabling advanced intelligence network (AIN)services over the World Wide Web (WWW or “the Web”) through aprovisioning system called the service management system (SMS). Theservice management system as disclosed in CHANG et al., however, doesnot ensure near real-time data update and is not compatible withexisting IVR implementations. Therefore, the services presented via theWeb are limited in functionality to the extent near real-time dataupdates are not guaranteed. For example, if a subscriber modifies anincoming call service, which blocks calls from selected phone numbers orclasses of phone numbers, to add an allowed incoming phone number, thesubscriber will not begin immediately to receive calls from thepreviously blocked phone number. Rather, the subscriber must wait anunspecified period of time for the service to be updated via the SMS.Also, as discussed above, the Web interface and the IVR interface aremutually exclusive.

[0043] One conventional call control service affected by thesedisadvantages is call forwarding. Currently, a subscriber mustpainstakingly interact with the service provider every time thesubscriber wishes to forward incoming calls to a different telephonenumber. Generally, this process must be performed using an IVR systemdependent on touch tones of a DTMF telephone. Although there are systemsavailable that permit the subscriber access to a call forwarding serviceover the Internet, these systems are limited in functionality. Forexample, a conventional approach to implementing a call managementsystem, including a call forwarding service, is presented in WOOD etal., U.S. Pat. No. 6,091,808, which describes a telephone callmanagement network that can be remotely accessed by customers using Webbrowsers over the Internet. One of the call services managed by thesystem disclosed in WOOD et al. is call forwarding. In WOOD et al. thecustomer is able to activate and deactivate call forwarding via a Webfacility. However, there is no provision for accomplishing the sameobjective alternatively via a PSTN, only using a DTMF telephone.

[0044] Another disadvantage of conventional Internet accessible callforwarding systems is incompatibility with IVR access to the same callforwarding account. In other words, if the subscriber elects to haveInternet accessible call forwarding, then the service cannot beroutinely changed through existing IVR systems. Therefore, subscribersare not able to update the service unless they have immediate access toa PC and modem (or device capable of implementing Internet connections).In order to have both IVR and Internet access to control callforwarding, subscribers would have to open separate accounts, which isinconvenient and potentially difficult for the provider to reconcile,especially where the multiple accounts may send conflicting informationregarding calls to be forwarded with respect to the same telephonenumber.

[0045] The present invention overcomes the problems associated with theprior art, as described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] The present invention is further described in the detaileddescription that follows, by reference to the noted plurality ofdrawings by way of non-limiting examples of embodiments of the presentinvention, in which like reference numerals represent similar partsthroughout several views of the drawings, and in which:

[0047]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an exemplary telecommunicationsnetwork for Flexible Call Forwarding and Intelligent Call Forwarding,according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0048]FIG. 2 is an exemplary call flow diagram in which the subscriberaccesses the Flexible Call Forwarding data via the Internet, accordingto an aspect of the present invention;

[0049]FIG. 3 is an exemplary Web page to be displayed at the user's PCshowing a weekly scheduler, according to an aspect of the presentinvention;

[0050]FIG. 4 is an exemplary Web page to be displayed at the user's PCshowing a change to the weekly scheduler, according to an aspect of thepresent invention;

[0051]FIG. 5 is an exemplary Web page to be displayed at the user's PCshowing an updated weekly scheduler, according to an aspect of thepresent invention;

[0052]FIG. 6 is an exemplary Web page to be displayed at the user's PCshowing a priority screening list, according to an aspect of the presentinvention;

[0053]FIG. 7 is an exemplary Web page to be displayed at the user's PCshowing activation and scheduling data for Flexible Call Forwarding,according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0054]FIG. 8 is an exemplary Web page to be displayed at the user's PCshowing an activation and scheduling summary for Flexible CallForwarding, according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0055]FIG. 9 is an exemplary Web page of an alternative embodiment to bedisplayed at the user's PC showing an activation and scheduling summaryfor Flexible Call Forwarding, according to an aspect of the presentinvention;

[0056]FIG. 10 is an exemplary call flow diagram in which the subscriberaccesses Flexible Call Forwarding data via an IVR, according to anaspect of the present invention;

[0057]FIG. 11 is an exemplary Flexible Call Forwarding call flow diagramshowing routing of an incoming telephone call, according to an aspect ofthe present invention;

[0058]FIG. 12 is an exemplary flow chart of Flexible Call Forwardingcall routing logic, according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0059]FIG. 13 is a call flow diagram illustrating subscriber requestsfor information from the PCM system, according to an aspect of thepresent invention;

[0060]FIG. 14 is a call flow diagram illustrating subscriber requestsfor information from the PCM system, according to an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

[0061]FIG. 15 illustrates user action in an exemplary Web-based PCMsystem, according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0062]FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary window navigation flow for basicuser actions, according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0063]FIG. 17 is an exemplary window to be displayed at the user's PCrequesting identification of a PCM account number, according to anaspect of the present invention;

[0064]FIG. 18 is an exemplary PCM home page window to be displayed atthe user's PC identifying customized user options for a selected accountnumber, according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0065]FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an exemplary PCMtelecommunications network, according to an aspect of the presentinvention;

[0066]FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an exemplary Intelligent CallForwarding and ICID telecommunications network, according to an aspectof the present invention;

[0067]FIG. 21 is an exemplary call flow diagram in which the subscriberaccesses the Intelligent Call Forwarding data via the Internet,according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0068]FIG. 22 is an exemplary Web page to be displayed at the user's PCshowing a rejection screening list for Intelligent Call Forwarding,according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0069]FIG. 23 is an exemplary call flow diagram in which the subscriberaccesses Intelligent Call Forwarding data via an IVR, according to anaspect of the present invention;

[0070]FIG. 24 is an exemplary call flow diagram in which IntelligentCall Forwarding and ICID have been deactivated, or when no activeInternet session exists, according to an aspect of the presentinvention;

[0071]FIG. 25 is an exemplary call flow diagram in which the subscriberelects to accept the incoming telephone call, according to an aspect ofthe present invention;

[0072]FIG. 26 is an exemplary call flow diagram in which the subscriberelects to forward the incoming telephone call to voice mail, accordingto an aspect of the present invention;

[0073]FIG. 27 is an exemplary call flow diagram in which the subscriberelects to play an announcement to the caller, according to an aspect ofthe present invention;

[0074]FIG. 28 is an exemplary call flow diagram in which the subscriberelects to redirect the incoming telephone call to an alternate telephonenumber, according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0075]FIG. 29 is an exemplary call flow diagram in which the callingparty abandons the telephone call to the subscriber after a responsefrom the Web server, according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0076]FIG. 30 is an exemplary call flow diagram in which the callingparty abandons the telephone call to the subscriber before a responsefrom the Web server, according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0077]FIG. 31 is an exemplary call flow diagram of an alternativeembodiment of the invention, in which the subscriber elects to acceptthe incoming telephone call, according to an aspect of the presentinvention;

[0078]FIG. 32 is a flowchart of exemplary SCP Service Logic forIntelligent Call Forwarding and ICID, according to an aspect of thepresent invention;

[0079]FIG. 33 is a continuation of the exemplary flowchart diagram ofFIG. 32; and

[0080]FIG. 34 is a continuation of the exemplary flowchart of FIG. 32.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0081] The present invention relates to call forwarding services thatresolve the previously identified problems, simply and efficiently. Thecall forwarding services include Flexible Call Forwarding andIntelligent Call Forwarding, which can be implemented individually orthrough a Personal Call Manager (PCM) system, along with othertelecommunication services, such as personal directories, InternetCaller Identification (ICID), Incoming Call Manager (ICM) and OutgoingCall Control (OCC). The present invention is an AIN based system andmethod that allows a subscriber connected to a communications network,including the Internet and other packet switched type data networks, aswell as through conventional IVR systems, to customize and execute thecall forwarding services, with near real-time access to the servicedata.

[0082] In view of the above, the present invention through one or moreof its various aspects and/or embodiments is presented to accomplish oneor more objectives and advantages, such as those noted below.

[0083] An aspect of the present invention provides a system forimplementing a call forwarding service that includes a service controlpoint, which processes telephone calls in a public switchedtelecommunications network, an interactive voice response system and aservice management system. The service control point includes a databaseof call forwarding service data that corresponds to the telephone numberof a subscriber. The interactive voice response system is accessible bythe subscriber from any dual tone multi-frequency telephone, through thepublic switched telecommunications network. The service managementsystem is a communications interface between the service control pointand the interactive voice response system. Simultaneously, the servicemanagement system operates as a communication interface between theservice control point and a graphical user interface, through a packetswitched data network.

[0084] The subscriber receives the call forwarding service data andsends instructions to control the call forwarding service using eitherthe dual tone multiple frequency telephone or the graphical userinterface. The service management system receives the instructions tocontrol the call forwarding service from the subscriber, from either thedual tone multi-frequency telephone or the graphical user interface, andcommunicates the instructions to the service control point, whichupdates the call forwarding service data in accordance with theinstructions. The service control point then processes calls to thetelephone number of the subscriber in accordance with the updated callforwarding service data. In an embodiment of the invention, the servicecontrol point processes calls in accordance with the instructionssubstantially contemporaneously with the subscriber sending theinstructions to control the call forwarding service from the interactivevoice response system or the graphical user interface.

[0085] Another aspect of the invention provides a system forimplementing a call forwarding service that includes a service controlpoint, which processes telephone calls in a public switchedtelecommunications network. The service control point has a database ofcall forwarding service data corresponding to a subscriber's telephonenumber. The call forwarding service data includes a call forwardingschedule.

[0086] The system also includes a Web server, through which thesubscriber receives at a graphical user interface the call forwardingservice data and sends instructions to control the call forwardingservice through a packet switched data network. There is also aninteractive voice response system, through which the subscriber receivesat a dual tone multi-frequency telephone the call forwarding servicedata and sends instructions to control the call forwarding servicethrough the public switched telecommunications network. The system alsoincludes a service management system. The service management systemfunctions as a communications interface between the service controlpoint and the Web server, as well as a communications interface betweenthe service control point and the interactive voice response system.

[0087] The subscriber receives the call forwarding service data andsends instructions to control the call forwarding schedule through theWeb server. The control instructions can include setting an activationtime and date, setting a deactivation time and date, and identifying atelephone number to which calls are to be forwarded. The subscriber canalso receive the call forwarding service data, as well as sendinstructions to activate and deactivate the schedule, through either theWeb server or the interactive voice response system. The service controlpoint updates the subscriber's call forwarding schedule in accordancewith the instructions. The service control point then processes incomingcalls to the subscriber's telephone number in accordance with theupdated call forwarding service data, including the instructions.

[0088] In another aspect of the present invention, the call forwardingservice data also includes a priority screening list, which contains atleast one priority telephone number. Whenever a call is placed from atelephone number on the priority screening list (i.e., a priority call)to the subscriber's telephone number, the call is selectively processedby the service control point. The selective processing includesforwarding the priority call to a telephone number different than thesubscriber's telephone number, while a call from a telephone number noton the priority screening list (i.e., a non-priority call) is notforwarded. Alternatively, a non-priority call may be forwarded to analternative telephone number, different than the subscriber's telephonenumber and different than the forwarding telephone number for thepriority calls.

[0089] The subscriber receives the call forwarding service data andsends priority screening list instructions to control the priorityscreening list from the graphical user interface by way of the Webserver. The priority screening list control instructions can includeadding a new priority telephone number to the priority screening list,removing one of the priority telephone numbers from the priorityscreening list, setting an activation date and time and setting adeactivation date and time. The service control point then updates thecall forwarding schedule in accordance with the priority screening listinstructions and processes calls to the subscriber's telephone number ofthe subscriber in accordance with the updated call forwarding servicedata.

[0090] Another aspect of the present invention provides for a method ofimplementing a call forwarding service. The method includes storing at aservice control point call forwarding service data for implementing thecall forwarding service through multiple data networks. The callforwarding service data includes call forwarding instructions andcustomized features. A service management system receives the callforwarding instructions from either a graphical user interface, throughone of the multiple data networks, or an interactive voice response,through a second data network. The service management system is adaptedto receive the call forwarding instructions from the graphical userinterface and the interactive voice response, as selected by thesubscriber.

[0091] The service management system then transmits the call forwardinginstructions to the service control point through a third data network.The service control point updates the call forwarding service data withthe call forwarding instructions. The service control point thenreceives a query identifying an incoming call from a calling party tothe subscriber's telephone number. The incoming call is then processedin accordance with the call forwarding service data.

[0092] The customized features of the call forwarding service include atleast one of a schedule and a screening list. The call forwardinginstructions can include activating and deactivating the call forwardingservice, activating and deactivating the schedule, activating anddeactivating the screening list, and activating and deactivating anautomatic shut-off function.

[0093] The method of providing a call forwarding service also includesreceiving the customized features at the service management system fromthe graphical user interface, through one data network. The customizedfeatures have been created or edited by the subscriber at the graphicaluser interface. The service management system transmits the customizedfeatures to the service control point through the third data network.The service control point then updates the call forwarding service datain accordance with the customized features.

[0094] According to another aspect of the invention, a method forimplementing a call forwarding service includes storing at a servicecontrol point and at a service management system call forwarding servicedata for implementation of the call forwarding service in a publicswitched telecommunications system. The service management system thentransmits to a graphical user interface through a server, by way of apacket switched data network, the call forwarding service data. Theservice management system receives from the graphical user interfacethrough the server, by way of the packet switched data network, updatedcall forwarding service data. The updated call forwarding service dataincludes features that have been created or edited by the subscriber atthe graphical user.

[0095] The service management system stores the updated call forwardingservice data and transmits the updated call forwarding service data tothe service control point. The service control point stores the updatedcall forwarding service data for implementing the call forwardingservice in response to incoming calls to the subscriber's telephonenumber. In this method for implementing the call forwarding serve, theservice management system is a communications interface between theservice control point and the graphical user interface, by way of thepacket switched data network. The service management system is also acommunications interface between the service control point and aninteractive voice response system.

[0096] The method further includes transmitting the updated callforwarding service data from the service management system to either thegraphical user interface or the interactive voice response system forupdating by the subscriber. The service management system then receivesfrom the graphical user interface or the interactive voice responsesystem call forwarding instructions. The call forwarding instructionsmay include an activation command and a de-activation commandcorresponding to the updated call forwarding service data. The servicemanagement system transmits the call forwarding instructions to theservice control point, which stores the call forwarding instructions.

[0097] A terminating switch then receives an incoming call from acalling party to the subscriber's telephone number. The terminatingswitch suspends the incoming call and sends a query. The service controlpoint receives the query from the terminating switch, which identifiesthe incoming call, including the telephone number of the calling partyand the telephone number of the subscriber. The service control pointdetermines from the call forwarding instructions whether the callforwarding service is active. If the call forwarding service is active,the service control point transmits to the terminating switchterminating instructions according to the call forwarding instructionsand the updated call forwarding service data. The terminatinginstructions include the telephone number where the incoming call is tobe terminated. If the call forwarding service is not active, the servicecontrol point transmits to the terminating switch terminatinginstructions to terminate the incoming call to the subscriber'stelephone number. The terminating switch then terminates the incomingcall according to the terminating instructions.

[0098] The updated call forwarding service data can include a callforwarding schedule and a priority screening list. The call forwardinginstructions can include a command to activate the call forwardingservice, a command to activate the call forwarding schedule, a commandto activate the priority screening list and an automatic shut-offcommand.

[0099] Another aspect of the present invention provides a system forimplementing a call forwarding service, as well as a system fornotifying an on-line subscriber of an incoming telephone call, whichincludes a service control point for processing telephone calls in apublic switched telecommunications network. The service control pointincludes a database of call forwarding service data corresponding to thesubscriber's telephone number. The system also includes a registrationserver, which stores an on-line status of the subscriber who is locatedat a Web client connected to a packet switched data network, and aserver, which functions as a communications interface between theservice control point and the Web client. The Web client includes agraphical user interface. The on-line status of the subscriber isreceived by the registration server through the packet switched datanetwork. The registration server communicates the on-line status to theservice control point.

[0100] The system further includes a service management system, whichfunctions as a communications interface between the service controlpoint and an interactive voice response system. The service managementsystem simultaneously functions as another communications interfacebetween the service control point and the Web client. The database ofcall forwarding service data corresponding to the subscriber's telephonenumber is accessible through the service management system from theinteractive voice response system and the Web client.

[0101] When processing an incoming call, the service control pointnotifies the subscriber, by way of the server, whenever the registrationserver indicates that the subscriber is on-line. The service controlpoint then processes the incoming call according to on-line instructionssent from the subscriber to the service control point by way of theserver. The subscriber's on-line instructions can include accepting theincoming call, forwarding the incoming call to an alternative telephonenumber and processing the incoming call according to the call forwardingservice data.

[0102] The interactive voice response system is accessible by thesubscriber from a dual tone multi-frequency telephone through the publicswitched telecommunications network. The service management systemreceives control instructions to control the call forwarding servicethrough either a dual tone multiple frequency telephone or the Webclient, and forwards the control instructions to the service controlpoint. The service control point then updates the call forwardingservice data in accordance with the control instructions and processesthe incoming call in accordance with the updated call forwarding servicedata, whenever the registration server indicates to the service controlpoint that the subscriber is not on-line. The service control pointbegins processing incoming calls in accordance with the controlinstructions substantially contemporaneously with the subscriber sendingthe control instructions to control the call forwarding service from theinteractive voice response system or the Web client.

[0103] Another aspect of the invention provides a system forimplementing a call forwarding service that includes a service controlpoint, which processes telephone calls in a public switchedtelecommunications network. The service control point has a database ofcall forwarding service data corresponding to a telephone number of thesubscriber. The system also includes a service node, which determines anon-line status of the subscriber, who is located at a Web client. TheWeb client is connected to a packet switched data network and includes agraphical user interface. The service node receives the on-line statusof the Web client through the packet switched data network andcommunicates the status to the service control point.

[0104] The call forwarding system also includes a service managementsystem, which serves as a communications interface between the servicecontrol point and an interactive voice response system. Simultaneously,the service management system serves as a communications interfacebetween the service control point and the Web client. The database ofcall forwarding service data corresponding to the subscriber's telephonenumber is accessible through the service management system from theinteractive voice response system and the Web client.

[0105] The service control point notifies the subscriber by way of theservice node of an incoming call, whenever the service control point hasdetermined that the subscriber is on-line. The service control pointthen processes the incoming call according to on-line instructions sentfrom the subscriber by way of the service node.

[0106] The interactive voice response system is accessible by thesubscriber from a dual tone multi-frequency telephone through the publicswitched telecommunications network. The service management systemreceives control instructions to control the call forwarding service, byway of either the dual tone multiple frequency telephone or the Webclient, and forwards the control instructions to the service controlpoint. The service control point updates the call forwarding servicedata in accordance with the control instructions. The service controlpoint then processes the incoming call in accordance with the updatedcall forwarding service data when the service node has indicated to theservice control point that the subscriber is not on-line. The servicecontrol point processes the incoming call in accordance with the controlinstructions substantially contemporaneously with the subscriber sendingthe control instructions to control the call forwarding service from theinteractive voice response system or the Web client.

[0107] In another aspect of the present invention, a system forimplementing a subscriber's call forwarding service, when the subscriberis on-line on a packet switched data network, includes a service controlpoint, which processes telephone calls in a public switchedtelecommunications network. The service control point includes adatabase of call forwarding service data corresponding to thesubscriber's telephone number. The system also includes a graphical userinterface, connected to the packet switched data network, by which thesubscriber receives the call forwarding service data and sends controlinstructions to control the call forwarding service. There is aninteractive voice response system, connected to the public switchedtelecommunications network, by which the subscriber receives the callforwarding service data and sends control instructions to control thecall forwarding service through the interactive voice response system. Aservice node is connected to the graphical user interface via the packetswitched data network, which records the on-line status of thesubscriber whenever the subscriber is on-line at the graphical userinterface. The service transmits the on-line status to the servicecontrol point.

[0108] The system also includes a service management system, whichprovides a communications interface between the service control pointand the graphical user interface for accessing the database of callforwarding service data. The service management system also provides acommunications interface between the service control point and theinteractive voice response system for accessing the database of callforwarding service data. When the service control point indicates thatthe subscriber is on-line, by information received from the servicenode, the service control point sends call information about an incomingcall to the service node, which forwards the call information to thegraphical user interface by way of the packet switched data network. Theservice node receives the subscriber's on-line instructions from thegraphical user interface, by way of the packet switched data network,and forwards the on-line instructions to the service control point tocontrol the call forwarding service. The service control point processesthe incoming call in accordance with the call forwarding service data orthe on-line instructions.

[0109] The on-line instructions sent by the subscriber to control thecall forwarding service through the packet switched data network caninclude accepting the incoming call, processing the incoming call inaccordance with the call forwarding service data and forwarding theincoming call to a forwarding telephone number. Further, the callforwarding service data can include a priority screening list, having atleast one priority telephone number, and a rejection screening list,having at least one rejection telephone number. A call placed from atelephone number on the priority screening list (i.e., a priority call)to the subscriber's telephone number is selectively processed by theservice control point. The selective processing includes forwarding thepriority call to a priority forwarding telephone number, which isdifferent than the subscriber's telephone number. A call placed from atelephone number on the rejection screening list (i.e., a rejected call)to the subscriber's telephone number is subject to rejection processingby the service control point. The rejection processing includesforwarding the priority call to a rejection telephone number, whichdifferent from the subscriber's telephone number and different from thetelephone numbers on the priority screening list.

[0110] The call forwarding service data can further include a schedule,which includes a table of at least one date and time period, duringwhich the call forwarding service is active. The subscriber haspre-identified the date and time period. During the pre-identified dateand time period when the call forwarding service is active, the servicecontrol point processes incoming calls in accordance with the callforwarding service data.

[0111] Another aspect of the present invention includes storing at aservice control point call forwarding service data for implementing thecall forwarding service. The call forwarding service data includes callforwarding instructions and customized features. The service controlpoint receives from a terminating switch a query identifying an incomingcall, including a telephone number of the calling party and thesubscriber's telephone number. The service control point determineswhether the call forwarding service is active.

[0112] If the call forwarding service is active, the service controlpoint then determines whether the subscriber is on-line. If thesubscriber is on-line, the service control point notifies the subscriberat a graphical user interface of the incoming call. The service controlpoint then receives call processing instructions from the subscriber andprocesses the incoming telephone call according to the call processinginstructions. If the subscriber is not on-line, the service controlpoint transmits to the terminating switch terminating instructionsaccording to the call forwarding service data stored at the servicecontrol point. The terminating instructions include the telephone numberwhere the incoming call is to be terminated.

[0113] If the call forwarding service is not active, the service controlpoint transmits to the terminating switch terminating instructions toterminate the incoming call to the subscriber's telephone number. Theincoming call is then terminated by the switch according to theterminating instructions.

[0114] Before the service control point stores the call forwardingservice data for implementing the call forwarding service, it receivesthe call forwarding instructions through a service management systemfrom either the graphical user interface or an interactive voiceresponse system. The service management system is configured to receivethe call forwarding instructions through both the graphical userinterface and the interactive voice response system.

[0115] The customized features of the call forwarding service caninclude a schedule, a priority screening list and a rejection screeninglist. The call forwarding instructions can include activating ordeactivating the call forwarding service, activating or deactivating theschedule, activating or deactivating the priority screening list, andactivating or deactivating the rejection screening list. The servicemanagement system receives the customized features from the graphicaluser interface, which have been created or edited by the subscriber atthe graphical user interface. The customized features are thentransmitted from the service management system to the service controlpoint, which updates the call forwarding service data in accordance withthe customized features.

[0116] Another aspect of the present invention includes storing at aservice control point call forwarding service data for implementation ofthe call forwarding service in a public switched telecommunicationsnetwork. The service control point receives from a service managementsystem call forwarding instructions, which include at least one of anactivation command and a de-activation command corresponding to the callforwarding service data. The service management system receives the callforwarding instructions from at least one of a graphical user interfacethough a packet switched data network and an interactive voice responsesystem through the public switched telecommunications network.

[0117] An incoming call, from a calling party to the subscriber'stelephone number, is received at a terminating switch. The terminatingswitch suspends the incoming call. The service control point thenreceives a query from the terminating switch, which identifies theincoming call. The identification of the incoming call includes thetelephone number of the calling party and the telephone number of thesubscriber. The service control point determines from the callforwarding instructions whether the call forwarding service is active.

[0118] If the call forwarding service is active, the service controlpoint determines whether the subscriber is on-line. If the subscriber ison-line, the subscriber is notified at the graphical user interface,through the packet switched data network, of the incoming call. Theservice control point receives call handling instructions from thegraphical user interface through the packet switched data network. Thecall handling instructions include at least one of accepting theincoming call, processing the incoming call according to the callforwarding service data and forwarding the incoming call to a forwardingtelephone number. The service control point transmits terminatinginstructions to the terminating switch according to the call handlinginstructions. If the subscriber is not on-line, the service controlpoint transmits to the terminating switch terminating instructionsaccording to the call forwarding service data. The terminatinginstructions include the telephone number where the incoming call is tobe terminated. If the call forwarding service is not active, the servicecontrol point transmits to the terminating switch terminatinginstructions to terminate the incoming call to the telephone number ofthe subscriber. The incoming call is terminated from the terminatingswitch according to the terminating instructions.

[0119] The various aspects and embodiments of the present invention aredescribed in detail below.

[0120] Flexible Call Forwarding

[0121] The present invention is an AIN based system and method thatallows a subscriber connected to a communications network, including theInternet and other packet switched type data networks, as well asthrough conventional IVR systems, to customize and execute callforwarding services with near real-time access to the service data. FIG.1 illustrates an exemplary telecommunications network in associationwith the present invention, for implementing both Flexible CallForwarding and Intelligent Call Forwarding. The network includes acalling party 20, an originating service switching point (SSP) 21, aterminating SSP 24 and a subscriber's telephone 25 (i.e., the calldestination or the called party). The network also includes a signalingtransfer point (STP) 22, a service control point (SCP) 23, aninteractive voice response (IVR) 45 and a service node/intelligentperipheral (SN/IP) 57. The network also provides a name database 50connected to the SCP 23, which can be, for example a line informationdatabase (LIDB).

[0122] By way of example, the SCP 23 is implemented with the BellcoreIntegrated Service Control Point, loaded with ISCP software Version 4.4(or higher), available from Telecordia, Murray Hill, N.J. In analternative embodiment of the invention, the SCP 23 may be a LucentAdvantage SCP, with software release 94, available from LucentTechnologies, Inc. An exemplary IVR 45 is available under the trademarkCONVERSANT System for IVR, Version 6.0, Update 1, provided by LucentTechnologies, Inc. The network alternatively incorporates any compatiblestand-alone IVR or advanced intelligence network-intelligent peripheral(AIN-IP or intelligent peripheral) providing an IVR. The SN/IP 57 is,for example, a Compact Service Node or an Enhanced Media Resource Server(eMRS) developed by Lucent Technologies, Inc. (The SN/IP 57 is utilizedin the Intelligent Call Forwarding aspects of the invention, asdiscussed below.)

[0123] The SSP 24 is the terminating central office (CO) for thesubscriber phone 25 and the SSP 21 is the originating CO for the callingparty 20. However, the terminating CO and the originating CO may be thesame. The SSPs 21 and 24 may include, for example, 1AESS or 5ESSswitches manufactured by Lucent Technologies, Inc.; DMS-100 switchesmanufactured by Nortel Networks Corporation (Nortel); AXE-10 switchesmanufactured by Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, or EWSD switchesavailable from Siemens Information and Communication Networks, Inc. Theswitches may utilize an AIN Release 0.1 protocol.

[0124] The call service logic of the present invention may be upgradedto accommodate future AIN releases and protocols and future triggertypes. Specifications of AIN Release 0.1 SSPs may be found in BellcoreTR-NWT-001285, Switch-Service Control Point Application ProtocolInterface Generic Requirements, and Telecordia Technical ReferenceTR-NWT-001284, AIN Switching Systems Generic Requirements, thedisclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein intheir entireties.

[0125] A data network of the invention includes a Web client 30, a Webserver 54 and a service management system (SMS) 48, connectable throughthe Internet 44. The Web client 30 includes a personal computer (PC) 32,i.e., a graphical user interface (GUI), operating client software 34, anexample of which is ICW Client, available from Southwestern BellTelephone Company. The SMS 48 is capable of transmitting and receivinginformation to and from the SCP 23. Alternatively, the client software34 can be run at the Web server 54. The SMS 48 provides the subscriberinterface to the SCP 23 from both the subscriber phone 25 (or other DTMFtelephone) through IVR 45 and the Web client 30 (or other Internetcompatible GUI) through the Web server 54, via the Internet 44. The SMS48 also maintains and distributes all subscriber specific data for theFlexible Call Forwarding service.

[0126] The Web client 30 incorporates a Web browser, such as MicrosoftInternet Explorer, available from Microsoft Corporation, or NetscapeNavigator, available from Netscape Communications Corporation. In oneembodiment, the Web client 30 is implemented with an IBM Pentium basedPC, running the Linux operating system, available from, for example,Free Software Foundation, Inc., or the Microsoft Windows operatingsystem, and running the Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigatoror HotJava, available from Sun Microsystems, Inc., Web browser software.An embodiment of the invention includes the Web server 54 running theLinux or Microsoft Windows operating system and the Apache Web serversoftware, available from the Apache Software Foundation, or the JigsawWeb server software, available from World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

[0127] Generally, Flexible Call Forwarding enables a subscriber todirect incoming calls to alternative telephone numbers. In anembodiment, Flexible Call Forwarding further includes several optionalfeatures that the subscriber customizes. Among these features is an“automatic-off” function, which is a preset day and time when FlexibleCall Forwarding will deactivate without further instruction from thesubscriber. Also, there is a priority screening list, in which thesubscriber designates priority names and telephone numbers. When thepriority screening list is activated, only calls received from thetelephone numbers on the list are forwarded. Flexible Call Forwardingalso includes a weekly scheduler, in an embodiment, which enables thesubscriber to schedule up to a week in advance the time when the serviceis on or off, the associated telephone numbers to which calls areforwarded and whether the priority screening list is on or off. Otherembodiments allow scheduling further in advance.

[0128] A subscriber can modify the call forwarding service status viatwo methods. First, from any DTMF telephone, the subscriber dials atoll-free number, e.g., an 800 number, to access the IVR 45. Thesubscriber is prompted to enter an account number, along with a personalidentification number (PIN), further discussed below. The subscriberthen has the ability to change the PIN, change the forwarding phonenumber, toggle the service on and off, specify a day and time when theservice will be deactivated and activate or deactivate the priorityscreening list and the preset weekly schedule. Second, the subscriberhas the option to access the Flexible Call Forwarding service using aGUI via the Internet 44. Over the Web connection, the subscriber is ableto implement all of the IVR functions identified above, as well as buildthe priority screening list and design the weekly scheduler.

[0129] In order to implement Flexible Call Forwarding, a terminatingattempt trigger (TAT) is set in the terminating SSP 24. The triggerlaunches when a call terminates to the subscriber's phone line 25.Therefore, when the subscriber receives a call, the call is suspended atthe terminating SSP 24 and a termination attempt query is sent to theSCP 23 for instructions via the STP 22. Upon receiving the query, theSCP 23 verifies whether the terminating line 25 subscribes to theFlexible Call Forwarding service. If a Flexible Call Forwardingsubscription is found, the service logic at the SCP 23 determines thestatus of the call forwarding service. In other words, it determineswhether Flexible Call Forwarding is on or off and whether variousfeatures have been activated. After making these determinations, the SCP23 instructs the SSP 24 where to send the suspended call, i.e., whetherto terminate the call to the subscriber's phone 25 or to forward thecall to an alternative telephone number previously specified by thesubscriber.

[0130] As stated above, Flexible Call Forwarding may include anautomatic-off function, a priority screening list and a scheduler. Theseexemplary features can be routinely and efficiently customized by thesubscriber without involvement of the account provider, whichconventionally is time consuming and inconvenient.

[0131] The automatic-off function enables the subscriber to designate atime for Flexible Call Forwarding to deactivate automatically once theservice has been activated. The automatic-off function option ispresented to the subscriber each time Flexible Call Forwarding isactivated. If an off time is entered, the service stops forwarding calls(i.e., the calls are terminated at the subscriber's phone 25) after thedesignated time. If no off time is entered, the call forwarding serviceremains active until the subscriber instructs otherwise. If thesubscriber elects to activate the weekly scheduler, the automatic-offfunction is disabled to prevent interference with the scheduler.

[0132] The priority screening list is available for use at thesubscriber's option. The list contains the names and telephone numbersof priority callers, as designated by the subscriber. In an embodiment,if the priority screening list has been activated, the SCP 23 will onlyforward calls originating from phone numbers included in the list. Allother calls are terminated at the subscriber's phone 25. The priorityscreening list is implemented through a screening table, which is storedat the SCP 23 and the SMS 48 and is accessible by the subscriber via theInternet 44, as discussed in detail below.

[0133] The scheduler provides a weekly schedule of times for activatingand deactivating Flexible Call Forwarding, as well as any featuresassociated with Flexible Call Forwarding. For example, the schedulerindicates the times at which the priority screening list is on or off,which times do not necessarily correspond to the Flexible CallForwarding service activation. The scheduler also designates thetelephone numbers to which calls are to be forwarded corresponding tothe various on and off times. The scheduler is implemented through atime of day and day of week (“tod/dow”) table, which is stored at theSCP 23 and accessible by the subscriber by the Internet 44, discussed indetail below.

[0134] In another embodiment, a rejection screening list feature isavailable. This feature is related to the priority screening listfeature, except the rejection screening list includes names and phonenumbers which are to be rejected. Calls from numbers on the rejectionscreening list are terminated to the subscriber's number (i.e., notforwarded) or forwarded to an alternative number designated for rejectedcalls.

[0135] A subscriber's exemplary interaction with Flexible CallForwarding is depicted in the call flow diagram of FIG. 2. Thesubscriber is able to access the Flexible Call Forwarding service via anIVR or the Internet, thereby greatly increasing flexibility andconvenience. FIG. 2 depicts interaction with Flexible Call Forwardingover the Internet, using a GUI, for accessing and updating the morecomplicated procedures for customizing the service, including buildingthe priority screening lists and weekly schedules, discussed above. Inorder for the subscriber to access Flexible Call Forwarding via theInternet 44, the subscriber accesses a unique uniform resource locator(URL) associated with the service provider. The URL is an address andidentifies the appropriate protocol for communicating with the serviceover the Web. When the subscriber accesses the Internet, the Web server54 provides Flexible Call Forwarding Web screens, transmitted from theSMS 48, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 3-8. In an embodiment, analternative manner for accessing the Flexible Call Forwarding data viathe Internet is through the PCM service, described below.

[0136] At step 102 of FIG. 2, the subscriber accesses Flexible CallForwarding data by connecting from the Web client 30 to the Web server54 through the Internet 44. The Web server 54 then connects to the SMS48, which stores and updates the Flexible Call Forwarding data, as wellas authentication data, at step 103. The Web server 54 receives HTTPmessages from the subscriber Web client 30 and provides HTML Web pagesin response to the subscriber's input. The Web pages relate to thesubscriber's Flexible Call Forwarding service, as indicated by the SMS48.

[0137] Once connected to the SMS 48 via the Web server 52, the user mustprovide authentication information to access the corresponding account.The SMS 48 performs the authentication at step 104. The SMS 48 queriesthe subscriber for an account number and associated password, whichconfirms the user's identity. The SMS 48 then retrieves the accountnumber and associated password information to confirm that thesubscriber is an authorized user. After successful authentication, theSMS 48 retrieves at step 106 the current service data for the FlexibleCall Forwarding service, including current priority screening lists andschedules, and makes the service data available to the subscriber. TheSMS 48 forwards the service data information to the Web server 54 atstep 107, which forwards the data to Web client 30 via the Internet 44at step 108.

[0138] The subscriber is presented with a number of options for eachtelephone number in the account. For example, the subscriber can changethe PIN, toggle the various Flexible Call Forwarding features on or off,set the automatic-off function day and time, and activate or deactivatethe priority screening list and the weekly Web schedule. In addition,the subscriber can build or edit the priority screening lists and weeklyschedules.

[0139] For example, FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary Web page, displayed onthe monitor of PC 32 at the Web client 30, showing the weekly scheduleraccording to an embodiment of the invention. The scheduling table 60contains data entries from left to right for a Flexible Call Forwardingon-time, off-time and applicable days of the week, which are indicted byMTWTFSS (i.e., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturdayand Sunday). The first entry 61, for instance, shows an on-time of 3:00p.m. and an off-time of 7:00 p.m. This period of Flexible CallForwarding activation is applied Monday through Friday. Similarly, thesecond activation period 62 is set for 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. onMonday, Wednesday and Friday. The third activation period 63 isscheduled for Saturday, only, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 4:00p.m. In one embodiment, the days and times provided in the schedulertable must be within one week of the time the subscriber populates thetable, although alternate embodiments are not limited to the one weekschedule. The subscriber can easily edit the weekly schedule, inreal-time, by simply selecting the Edit button or the Delete button,included in columns 64 and 65, respectively.

[0140] If the subscriber desires to build the schedule by adding anotheractivation period, he or she simply selects the Add One button 66,located directly above scheduling table 60. Upon selecting the Add Onebutton, the subscriber is presented with a new Web page at Web client30, an example of which is shown in FIG. 4. The subscriber fills in theblank data fields to indicate the desired additional activation period.The Time Start field 66 is the on-time for Flexible Call Forwarding,including an AM or a PM designation. In this example, the subscriberchooses an on-time of 8:00 a.m. Likewise, the subscriber specifies theTime End 67, which is 11:00 a.m. The subscriber then assigns the days ofthe week to which the new activation period applies by simply checkingthe corresponding boxes 68. In this case, the Flexible Call Forwardingperiod of 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. will automatically activate on Sunday.The subscriber enters the new activation period by choosing the Nextindication 69. The SMS 48 responds by sending the updated weeklyschedule screen to the Web client 30, an example of which is shown inFIG. 5. The new activation period 70 is now listed in scheduling table60, acknowledging to the subscriber that the instructions have beenreceived and implemented.

[0141]FIG. 6 shows an exemplary Web page for the priority screeninglist, according to an embodiment of the invention. The priorityscreening list 72 contains data entries for priority telephone numbersand corresponding names. As described in detail below, the SMS 48 storesthese telephone numbers and names, and forwards the telephone numbers tothe SCP 23. Whenever the priority screening list is active, onlytelephone calls from the numbers on the list will be forwarded accordingto the subscriber's Flexible Call Forwarding instructions. Edits andadditions to the priority screening list 72 are implementedsubstantially the same to the weekly schedule edits and additions. Anexisting entry can be edited or deleted using the Edit buttons 73 andthe Delete buttons 74, respectively. Selecting the Add One button 75causes the SMS 48 to send another Web page dedicated to building thepriority screening list. The subscriber populates the fields fortelephone number and name, selects Next and is returned to the priorityscreening Web page of FIG. 6, which would include the additional entryin list 72.

[0142] In addition to editing and building the weekly schedule and thepriority screening list, the subscriber can specify the call forwardingtimes and service to be applied. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary Web pagepresented to the Web client 30 by the SMS 48 for basic Flexible CallForwarding implementation. Box 80 is for indicating whether FlexibleCall Forwarding is ON or OFF. A check mark placed in box 80 activatesthe service immediately upon pressing the Next button 87. Boxes 81 and82 relate to the priority screening list and the weekly schedule,respectively. By checking the boxes, the subscriber indicates a desireto activate the respective features (which previously have been builtand/or edited).

[0143] Boxes 83 and 84 of FIG. 7 pertain to the automatic-off function,discussed above. The boxes 83 and 84 provide fields for the off date andtime, respectively, to stop forwarding calls placed to the subscriberphone 25 once Flexible Call Forwarding has been activated, indicted atbox 80. This off date and time is over-ridden by the weekly schedule ofFIGS. 3 and 5, so that the automatic-off function will not interrupt thecustomized scheduling featured set up by the subscriber.

[0144] The Web page of FIG. 7 also requests a voice response PIN at box85. This is the same PIN that the user uses to access Flexible CallForwarding by telephone, using IVR 45. In an embodiment, the PIN mayalso be used in lieu of a password to initially access the Flexible CallForwarding data over the Web.

[0145]FIG. 7 also displays a forward-to-number box 86, which is thetelephone number to which incoming calls are forwarded. In anembodiment, this is limited to a ten-digit number, although alternativeembodiments may include additional digits to accommodate internationalcalls. Further, in the depicted embodiment of the invention, FlexibleCall Forwarding allows for one number to which the calls are forwardedany time the service is active, including activation through the weeklyscheduler. In alternative embodiments, the weekly scheduler includes aforward-to number column in the weekly schedule table 60, so that thesubscriber can redirect incoming calls to alternative forwarding numbersat different days and times.

[0146] The instructions input by the subscriber in FIG. 7 are enteredwhen the subscriber selects the Next button 87, at which time they aresent from the Web client 30 through the Web server 56 to the SMS 48,indicated respectively at steps 109 and 110 of FIG. 2. The exemplary Webpage of FIG. 8 is then displayed at the Web client 30. Substantiallysimultaneously with entry of these instructions, along with the weeklyschedule and priority screening data, the SMS 48 updates the data storedat the SCP 23, according to the information entered by the subscriber,for implementation at step 112, accordingly. The data stored at the SMS48 is therefore duplicated by the data stored at the SCP 23.

[0147] Referring to FIG. 8, the status table 90 presents a summary ofthe entered information, including the automatic-off date 83, theautomatic-off time 84, the PIN number 85 and the forwarding phone number86. In addition, entries 91-93 indicate the respective status of theservice and optional features. The Y in entry 91 indicates that theFlexible Call Forwarding service is on. The Ys in entries 92 and 93indicate that the priority screening list and the weekly scheduler areactive, respectively.

[0148] In alternative embodiments, Flexible Call Forwarding forwardstelephone calls to alternative numbers, depending on the priorityscreening list. For example, a calling party number on the priorityscreening list is forwarded to the current location of the subscriberand a calling party number not on the list is terminated at the originalcalled party number. Furthermore, an embodiment includes a rejectionscreening list for the subscriber to identify specific directory numbersfrom which he or she does not wish to accept as forwarded calls, ordirectory numbers that are forwarded to an alternative telephone numberor message center.

[0149]FIG. 9 shows an exemplary Web page, entitled Call Status Screen,that displays summary information from a weekly schedule integrated witha priority screening list and a rejection screening list. The directorynumber 99 at the bottom of the screen is the telephone number of thesubscriber using the service. Boxes 94-98 display scheduling optionscreated and edited by the subscriber using the Web client 30, asdescribed above. Each box includes ON and OFF icons, which can beselected after the particular schedule and associated screening listshave been created, using either the Web client 30 via the Internet 44 orthe IVR 45 via the PSTN.

[0150] Box 94 is the basic call forwarding function in which, whenactivated, all calls are forwarded to telephone number 312-555-1616. (Asshown, this number coincides with the subscriber's voice mail, which inan embodiment may be a call control option available through PCM,discussed below.) All calls continue to be forwarded to this numberuntil the subscriber deactivates this function, i.e., selects the OFFicon, or until the day and time set in the automatic-off function (notshown) is reached.

[0151] Box 95 of FIG. 9 is a summary of essentially the same type ofinformation shown in the exemplary Web page of FIG. 3. From the starttime of 7:00 a.m. to the stop time of 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday,all calls are automatically forwarded to the previously identifieddirectory number, 312-555-1616, with no further action by the subscriber(other than activating box 95). Box 96 is similar to box 95, except thatbox 96 incorporates a priority screening list. Therefore, from 3:00 p.m.to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, the Flexible Call Forwarding service forwardsonly calls from the two numbers on the priority screening list, i.e.,601-555-5555 and 134-123-1234, to a priority forwarding number, i.e.,312-338-8353.

[0152] Box 97 shows an example of using a rejection screening list inconjunction with a priority screening list. Assuming that the subscriberdesires to return calls from those directory numbers on a secondpriority screening list, i.e., calls from 701-555-5555 and 123-444-4444,callers associated with the directory numbers on the second prioritylist will hear an announcement to that effect whenever they call thesubscriber's number while box 97 is activated. However, calls from thedirectory numbers on the rejection screening list, i.e., 608-555-8282and 312-555-9999, will hear an announcement instructing the caller toattempt the call at a later time.

[0153] Box 98 shows another embodiment of the invention in which theFlexible Call Forwarding service provides another priority screeninglist, referred to, for example, as the special forward list. This listis built by the subscriber using the Web client 30 in the same mannerdescribed with respect to the priority screening list. Once created andimplemented, i.e., activated by selecting the ON icon on the GUI of Webclient 30 or sending the appropriate touch tone over the IVR 45, callsfrom the special forward list directory numbers are sent to anotheroptional telephone number (or played an alternative announcement)according to the subscriber's instructions.

[0154] Exemplary steps through which the subscriber can alternativelyinteract with Flexible Call Forwarding using the IVR 45 are shown inFIG. 10. As stated above, access through the IVR 45 is slightly limitedin that the subscriber cannot actually build or edit priority screeninglists and weekly schedules. However, the subscriber can access all otherfeatures of Flexible Call Forwarding, including changing the PIN,toggling the Flexible Call Forwarding service ON or OFF, setting theautomatic-off function day and time, and activating/deactivating thepriority screening list and weekly schedule.

[0155] Referring to FIG. 10, the subscriber calls a toll free numberfrom any DTMF telephone, which directly accesses the IVR 45, shown atstep 120. FIG. 10 depicts, for example, the call originating from thesubscriber phone 25. The IVR 45 receives the call and initiates arequest for various authentication information, including the accountand PIN numbers. These numbers coincide with the account and PIN numbersused to access the Flexible Call Forwarding service via the Internet 44.The pre-programmed voice announcements for this aspect of the inventionreside in the IVR 45, and implementation of the voice announcements iswell known. The authentication information is provided using the touchtones of the DTMF telephone 25. The IVR 45 forwards the information tothe SMS 48 at step 122 for verification at step 124.

[0156] After verification, the system operates in much the same way asdescribed above with respect to a GUI and the Internet. The SMS 48retrieves at step 126 the current service data for the Flexible CallForwarding service, including current priority screening lists andschedules, and provides the IVR 45 with the call forwarding dataspecific to the subscriber at step 128. The IVR 45 then verbally recitesa menu of options to the subscriber at step 130 based on the informationreceived from the SMS 48. For example, if the subscriber has previouslybuilt a priority screening list, activation of this list will beincluded among the options provided to the user over the telephone. Thesubscriber listens to the options and inputs various choices at step 132via the telephone touch tone key pad, including, for example turning onFlexible Call Forwarding or selecting and activating a predefinedpriority list or weekly schedule. The subscriber can also set theautomatic-off function date and time.

[0157] These commands are forwarded from the IVR 45 to the SMS 48 atstep 134, which updates the Flexible Call Forwarding data contained inthe SCP 23 at step 136. Once stored at the SCP 23, Flexible CallForwarding is set with respect to incoming calls in accordance with thecustomizing instructions from the subscriber.

[0158]FIG. 11 is a call flow diagram depicting an exemplaryimplementation of Flexible Call Forwarding in response to an incomingtelephone call. At step 142, a calling party 20 places a call to thetelephone number of the subscriber phone 25. The call proceeds throughthe originating SSP 21 (not pictured) to the terminating SSP 24, whichlaunches an AIN Terminating Attempt Trigger (TAT) query to the SCP 23 atstep 144. Once the trigger has been assigned and activated, every callterminating to the subscriber's line will cause the SSP 24 to launch theTAT query via the existing SS7 network.

[0159] Step 144 of FIG. 11 coincides with step s204 of FIG. 12, which isa flow diagram depicting the logical flow of handling an exemplary callaccording to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, at steps204, the SSP 24 sends a termination attempt query message to the SCP23. The data corresponding to the termination attempt query includesstandard AIN parameters, such as a called party identification numberand a calling party identification number.

[0160] After receiving the TAT query, the SCP 23 internally processesthe data at step 146 of FIG. 11. The SCP 23 first determines at decisiondiamond s206 of FIG. 12 whether the called party is a Flexible CallForwarding subscriber. The determination is accomplished by comparingthe query parameters from the SSP 24 to a list of subscribers in the SCP23's Flexible Call Forwarding database. If there is no match, the SCP 23concludes that the called party is not a Flexible Call Forwardingsubscriber and sends an authorize termination instruction to SSP 24,which terminates the call to the dialed telephone number, as indicatedat steps s224 and s230, ending the process at step s232. In other words,the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 to simply complete the call as dialedwith no further processing.

[0161] If the SCP 23 finds a match at decision diamond s206, indicatingthat the called party is a subscriber to Flexible Call Forwarding, theprocess proceeds to decision diamond s208, which determines whether theFlexible Call Forwarding service is ON or OFF. The ON/OFF status isindicated by a data flag, for example. If the Flexible Call Forwardingservice is off, the logic proceeds to steps s224 and s230, as describedabove. That is, the SCP 23 sends the authorize termination instructionto SSP 24, which terminates the call to the called party number. IfFlexible Call Forwarding service is ON, then the SCP 23 must determinewhich functions have been activated by the subscriber.

[0162] At decision diamond s210, the SCP 23 determines whether thescheduler is ON or OFF. The scheduler status is also indicated by a dataflag, for example. If the scheduler is off, the SCP 23 proceeds todecision diamond s212, which represents the automatic-off function ofFlexible Call Forwarding. As previously described, and as shown in FIG.12, the automatic-off function is entirely bypassed whenever thescheduler is activated, thereby preventing conflicting instructions fromthe two features. With respect to the automatic-off function, the SCP 23first determines whether a time has been entered into the Data Counterfield, which indicates the time at which the subscriber wishes callforwarding to be discontinued. If there is no time entered, the SCP 23assumes that call forwarding is still active and proceeds to decisiondiamond s218 to determine whether the priority list is activated. Ifthere is a time in the Data Counter field, which indicates the automaticshut-off time, the current time of day, provided by a timer of the SCP23, is checked against the shut-off time at decision diamond s214. Ifthe current time is later than the shut-off time, the SCP 23 instructsSSP 24 to terminate the call to the called party number 25, at steps224. Otherwise, the SCP 23 proceeds to decision diamond s218.

[0163] If it is determined at decision diamond s210 that the scheduleris on, the SCP 23 accesses the scheduler table to execute callforwarding accordingly. In an embodiment, the weekly scheduler includesa time of day/day of week (“tod/dow”) table, which may have the multipleentries. As discussed above, at a minimum, the tod/dow table containsmultiple sets of start times and end times, as well as fields foridentifying the days of the week for activation. The fields, forexample, contain data indicating which days of the week have beendesignated activation periods. In an embodiment of the invention, thetable also stores telephone numbers corresponding to the variousactivation periods of Flexible Call Forwarding.

[0164] At step s216, the SCP 23 determines whether the tod/dow table isfound and populated. If there is no such table or the table exists butis unpopulated, the SCP 23 proceeds to step s224, where the call isterminated to the called phone number 25. Otherwise, the SCP 23determines the forwarding instruction according to the current time, thetimes and days indicated by the tod/dow table and, in one embodiment,the forwarding telephone numbers. If the table indicates that thecurrent time falls within a period during which call forwarding is notactive, then the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 to terminate the call tothe called party number.

[0165] Otherwise, the process proceeds to decision diamond s218, wherethe SCP 23 determines whether the priority screening list feature is ONor OFF. If the list feature is off, the SCP 23 simply instructs the SSP24 to forward the telephone call to the designated forwarding number 36,at step s222. If the list feature is on, the calling party number 20 isused to determine whether the caller is on the priority screening list,indicated at decision diamond s220. The list accommodates multipleentries for priority calls (e.g., 75, in one embodiment) and ispopulated with telephone numbers associated with whomever the subscriberhas previously identified as a priority caller. When the priorityscreening list feature is on and the calling party number 20 does notappear on that list, the SCP 23 instructs SSP 24 to terminate the callto the called party number 25, at step s224. Otherwise, the SCP 23instructs the SSP 24 to forward the call to the designated phone number36, indicated at step s222. The call is then routed accordingly at steps230, ending the process at step s232.

[0166] Referring back to FIG. 11, in order to instruct the SSP 24 toforward a call, the SCP 23 sends a forward call message to the SSP 24 atstep 148. In an embodiment of the invention, the forward call messagesent by the SCP 23 to SSP 24 includes standard AIN parameters. The SSP24 then completes the connection between the calling party 20 and theforwarding number 36 at step 150, resulting in a final connectionbetween the two. In the alternative, if the SSP 24 is instructed toterminate the call to the called party number 25, the SCP 23 sends theauthorize termination message, previously discussed, to the SSP 24 atstep 152. The SSP 24 then completes the connection between the callingparty 20 and the subscriber phone 25 (i.e., called party number) at step154, resulting in a final connection between the two.

[0167] System errors that occur while processing a call under FlexibleCall Forwarding generally result in the call being terminated to thesubscriber's line 25. For example, if the SSP 24 does not receive aresponse to the termination attempt query from the SCP 23 within apredetermined time, e.g., 3 seconds, the call is terminated to thesubscriber's line 25. Other errors resulting in termination to thesubscriber's line 25 include the SSP 24 receiving any report of anapplication error after sending a termination attempt query and the SSP24 detecting a protocol or application error in an authorize terminationmessage from the SCP 23.

[0168] Personal Call Manager

[0169] Flexible Call Forwarding may be integrated with a Personal CallManager (PCM) service to enhance functionality and compatibility withother call control services. PCM is an AIN based service that allows asubscriber connected to a communications network, including the Internetand other packet switched type data networks, as well as throughconventional IVR systems, to customize and execute services associatedwith telephonic communications, with near real-time access to theservice data. FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary telecommunicationsnetwork in association with PCM. The network includes a calling party20, an originating SSP 21, a terminating SSP 24 and a subscriber'stelephone 25, an STP 22 and an SCP 23, examples of which have beenpreviously described. The network also includes an AIN/IP (intelligentperipheral) 40, which incorporates an IVR 45. In alternativeembodiments, the intelligent peripheral may be an IBM Resource Manageror a Lucent PacketIN Application Server.

[0170] An associated data network includes a Web client 30, a Web server54, an authentication/subscription information server 42 and a servicestatus database 41. The data network communicates to the PSTN(specifically the SCP 23) through the intelligent peripheral 40 usingthe SR-3511 protocol 46, or an equivalent protocol. In an embodiment ofthe invention, the functions of the intelligent peripheral 40 may beperformed by the SN/IP 57, shown in FIG. 1.

[0171]FIG. 13 is an exemplary call flow diagram depicting a subscriberusing the PCM service. Initially, the subscriber accesses a publicpacket switched data network, such as the Internet, from a Web client30, using a Web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, NetscapeNavigator or HotJava. Once on the Internet, the subscriber connects tothe Web server 54, which serves as a secure access platform. The Webserver 54 receives HTTP messages from the Web client 30 and providesHTML Web pages in response to the subscriber's input to the Web client30. The Web pages relate to the subscriber's PCM account.

[0172] Once connected to the Web server 54, the user must first log-into the PCM account, also depicted at block 201 in FIG. 15 and describedbelow. The log-in equates to an authentication of the user. To performthe authentication, the Web server 54 contacts theauthentication/subscription information (ASI) server 42, which confirmsthat the subscriber is an authorized user by verifying at least thesubscriber's name and a password. The ASI server 42 also provides to theWeb server 54 a list of the services to which the user has subscribed inthe PCM account. Services for each phone number are linked to the PCMaccount through the ASI server 42.

[0173] The Web server 54 then retrieves from the SCP 23, via theintelligent peripheral 40, current service data and the related statusof the various services, such as Flexible Call Forwarding, managedthrough the PCM account. The data and status of the services, i.e.,service data, is forwarded to the Web client 30 and displayed as seenfor example in FIG. 18, discussed in detail below.

[0174] In another embodiment, depicted in FIG. 14, after logging in andbeing authenticated, the Web server 54 retrieves from a service statusdatabase 41 the data and status of the various services managed throughthe PCM account, rather than from the SCP 23, directly. This databaseserves as a cache for the service information in the SCP 23. The servicestatus database 41 contains information current to the most recentupdate interface with the SCP 23. The cache arrangement enables the userto efficiently access this information without waiting for the SCP 23 toprocess the request. At the same time, it reduces SCP traffic. Theservice status database 41 is refreshed periodically to ensure currency,as well as pursuant to a specific command by the user. This database isa conventional lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) database,such as the LDAP database available from Lucent Technologies, Inc. Inthe alternative, the database may be a standard relational database,such as those available from Oracle Corporation or Sybase, Inc.

[0175] Upon review of the service status, the user may choose tointeract with one or all of the available services, including FlexibleCall Forwarding, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. When the user selects adesired service, a message is sent to the Web server 54, which respondswith the corresponding service screen. When the user selects aparticular service necessitating access to the PSTN (e.g., OCC or ICM),the request is sent to the intelligent peripheral 40.

[0176] Significantly, this is the same intelligent peripheral thatimplements IVR access to the user's services through a conventionalPSTN. The intelligent peripheral internally translates data messagesreceived from the Web server 54 and accesses the relevant call servicesdata from the SCP 23 through the SR-3511 protocol, use of which enablesthe simultaneous compatibility with IVR functions. Details of theSR-3511 protocol are provided in Bellcore, Recommendation SR-3511 SCPIntelligent Peripheral (IP) Interface Specification for TCP/IP, Version5.0 (January 1997), the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. In one embodiment, the translationprogram is in C, C++ or JAVA. The intelligent peripheral 40 thentransmits a summary of the requested service, based on information fromthe SCP 23, to the Web server 54.

[0177] At this point, the user may choose to update or to simply reviewthe service information. When the service is updated, the Web server 54sends the update instructions in a data message to the intelligentperipheral 40. The intelligent peripheral then translates the updateinstruction into the SR-3511 protocol and communicates the updatedservice parameters directly to the SCP 23.

[0178] For example, one available service is Incoming Call Manager(ICM), by which the user may prioritize, forward, preview or blockselected telephone numbers. In the update procedure, the user enters atelephone number to be blocked, for instance, which the Web server 54communicates to the intelligent peripheral 40. The intelligentperipheral, in turn, sends the data via SR-3511 to the SCP 23, whichflags the number to be blocked. Because the intelligent peripheral'sinstructions to the SCP 23 are sent and implemented immediately, withoutthe involvement of the provider's account management or customerservice, the changes to the service are operable and available shortlyafter the user sends the instructions. In an embodiment that includesthe Service Status Database 41, the cache will then be updated in duecourse to reflect the updated information in the SCP 23.

[0179]FIG. 15 depicts the procedure followed by the subscriber whenfirst entering the PCM Web site. The subscriber must first log-in atblock 201. Assuming the subscriber's PCM account has already beenestablished, as described below, he or she must provide theauthentication data to proceed. The authentication data is entered at alog-in screen, an example of which is depicted in FIG. 16 at screen 220.To maintain the integrity of the secure platform, authenticationrequires preferably a user ID and a password. The user ID is any name,not necessarily unique within the PCM system, selected at accountinitiation by the subscriber. The password is confidential (at thesubscriber's discretion) and must be unique with respect to theassociated user ID. The subscriber may change the password as desired,but appropriate authentication data must be provided prior to suchchanges. If the subscriber enters an invalid user ID or password, theWeb server 54 responds with a message explaining the problem and allowsanother chance to enter correct data.

[0180] After the subscriber is authenticated, the subscriber proceeds toenter the PCM at block 202. At this time, the user views a generalinformational screen 222 of FIG. 16, which is formatted at thediscretion of the service provider. It may include, by way of example,new services offered to the subscriber. After the subscriber elects toproceed into the PCM, the Web server 54 navigates to a page 226 thatdisplays telephone numbers associated with the PCM account(s) to whichthe user belongs and to which the user is authorized to access. FIG. 17depicts an exemplary screen displaying phone numbers to which the userhas access.

[0181] At this point, the user selects a telephone number at block 203and the corresponding services are displayed for the selected telephonenumber at screen 224. The user may then elect to implement the variousservices in place for a particular phone number. In an embodiment of theinvention, if the subscriber selects the Flexible Call Forwardingservice in the PCM account, he or she further enters the appropriatePIN. Alternatively, at block 202 the user may elect to manage the PCMaccount at blocks 211 and 212, depending on the user's privileges withina particular account to manage the PCM account.

[0182] If the PCM has more than one associated telephone number, theuser would see a Web page listing the numbers, as in block 226 of FIG.16. The screen has user interface elements that allow the user to selectone of the numbers. Thus, each PCM account keeps track of a non-emptyset of phone numbers to be managed through the PCM on behalf of thecorresponding set of users, presumably members of a family, business,organization or other group.

[0183] After the user selects a phone number at block 203, the systemdisplays for the user a PCM summary page 204 corresponding to theselected telephone number. The PCM summary page displays only data theuser is authorized to see for the selected telephone number. As shown atscreen 224, the PCM summary provides various options to the user,including by way of example, selecting from among listed services206-209, returning to select an alternative PCM telephone number orexiting PCM altogether 213.

[0184]FIG. 18 shows an exemplary PCM summary display, which correspondsto screen 224 of FIG. 16, entitled Personal Call Manager Home Page foraccount number (512) 555-5831, which is the selected telephone number inthe example. FIG. 18 shows four services accessible through the PCM,although the four services are not intended to be limiting. That is, thePCM is able to administer any call services associated with an SCP 23.The services depicted in the PCM summary screen 224, as well as in FIG.18, are Caller ID Log 240, Message Center 242, Incoming Call Manager(ICM) 244 and Outgoing Call Control (OCC) 246. The displayed informationis summary in fashion, the details being available to the user throughselection of one of the available services, which displays a PCM servicescreen 228 of FIG. 16. At the summary screen, the Caller ID Log 240 ofFIG. 18 retrieves data from the SCP 23 and shows, for example, thenumber of call records added since the last review. The Message Center242 retrieves data from the SCP 23 and shows the number of new callnotes, e-mails, wireless calls, faxes and messages reviewed. The ICM 244of FIG. 18 likewise retrieves data from the SCP 23 and shows the statusof the call blocker, call forwarding, priority call and caller previewfeatures. The OCC summary retrieves data from the SCP 23 and showswhether international calls, long distance calls, 900/976 numbers and/ordirectory assistance calls are restricted.

[0185] From the PCM summary screen, the user may choose to use PCM tomanage any of the displayed services, indicated at block 205 in FIG. 15.This is done by simply clicking on one of the display boxes 240-246 ofFIG. 18 to cause the Web server to display a new Web page correspondingto the selected service. Or, the PCM summary page includes a list of thepersonal services 248, which duplicates the display boxes. In addition,the list 248 may include additional personal services that do notrequire interaction with the SCP 23. These services include, forexample, a personal directory, paging capability and billing review.

[0186] The paging capability provides the option of paging thesubscriber when a caller ID is received from a subscriber specifiedphone number. Paging may include a page, a wireless short message, ane-mail, or a generated phone call to a specified number. Moreover,caller ID logs can be collected and paged to the subscriber at periodicintervals with summary and/or detailed information.

[0187] After selection of one of the services, the Web server 54navigates to and displays the selected services Web page, indicated byblocks 206-209, and displays the corresponding service screen 228 ofFIG. 16. The user may review information, activate or deactivate theservice or change the scope of the service, as desired, in accordancewith the level of access available to that user. After accessing one ofthe available services, the user may return to the PCM summary page atblock 210. Returning can be accomplished by selecting a specific optionto return or by simply clicking the BACK icon provided by the Webbrowser. The user may also exit PCM at block 213 of FIG. 15, ending thecurrent session at block 230 of FIG. 16.

[0188] Intelligent Call Forwarding

[0189] An additional embodiment of the present invention will bereferred to as Intelligent Call Forwarding. Intelligent Call Forwardingis a call control service that is closely related to Flexible CallForwarding and provides complementary features. Flexible Call Forwardingis implemented to forward telephone calls to at least one pre-designatednumber whenever the subscriber anticipates not being available at thesubscriber telephone 25, but Flexible Call Forwarding does not providecall processing whenever the caller encounters a busy signal at thesubscriber's line. The inability to forward calls is particularlyproblematic when the subscriber is connected to the Internet via thetelephone line to which incoming calls are attempting to connect.Conventionally, the calling party simply receives a busy signal (or issent to a message mailbox) and the subscriber has no notice of theincoming call.

[0190] An embodiment of the invention addresses two related services.One of the services is referred to as Intelligent Call Forwarding, whichenables the subscriber connected to the Internet to direct incomingcalls to alternative telephone numbers, including numbers that playannouncements or accept messages, without interrupting the Internetsession. For example, the announcements may include a message informingthe calling party that the party they are trying to reach is busy andthat the caller should call back later, or a message informing thecalling party that the party they are trying to reach is busy and willcall them back later. Intelligent Call Forwarding includes severaloptional features similar to Flexible Call Forwarding that thesubscriber may customize. Among these features are a weekly scheduler,which allows the subscriber to schedule up to a week in advanceactivation and deactivation times, as well as associated forwardingphone numbers. Another feature is a priority screening list, in whichthe subscriber designates priority names and telephone numbers. Relatedto the priority screening feature is a screening rejection list feature,which terminates an incoming call to the called number or forwards therejected call to a pre-designated number having an appropriateannouncement (switch-based, or otherwise).

[0191] As in the case of Flexible Call Forwarding, there are two methodsby which subscribers may modify call forwarding service status. First,from any DTMF telephone, the subscriber dials a toll-free number, e.g.,an 800 number, to access an IVR. When connected to the IVR, thesubscriber is prompted to enter the account number, along with apersonal identification number, as discussed above. The subscriber thenhas the ability to change the PIN, change the forwarding numbers, togglethe service on/off, specify a day and time when the service will bedeactivated and activate or deactivate the priority screening list, therejected call list and the weekly schedule. Second, the subscriber hasthe option to access the Intelligent Call Forwarding service using a GUIvia the Internet. Over the Web connection, the subscriber is able toimplement all IVR functions, as well as build the screening lists anddesign weekly schedules. The Intelligent Call Forwarding service, whenactive, automatically takes effect whenever the subscriber accesses theInternet from a telephone number included in the service.

[0192] The other service for responding to busy signals on thesubscriber's phone line is Internet Caller ID (ICID). Like IntelligentCall Forwarding, ICID enables the subscriber connected to the Internetvia a dial-up connection to contemporaneously receive calleridentification information concerning an incoming telephone call,without interrupting the connection with the Internet. The callerinformation is provided in a pop-up dialog box on the subscriber'sdisplay, which includes but is not limited to, a PC monitor. Theinformation displayed to the subscriber includes the name and number ofthe calling party, if available. In addition, several dispositionoptions are presented to the subscriber which, upon selection, determinehandling of the incoming call.

[0193] In an embodiment, the disposition options available to thesubscriber include accepting the call, forwarding the call to a voicemail system, redirecting the call to another telephone line (e.g., acellular telephone or a second telephone line), and playing anannouncement to the calling party. The announcement played to thecalling party is selected by the subscriber and may be either a messageinforming the calling party that the party they are trying to reach isbusy and that the caller should call back later, or a message informingthe calling party that the party they are trying to reach is busy andwill call them back later. Additionally, the subscriber has the optionin all of the service described herein of selecting the language inwhich the messages plays, e.g., English or Spanish.

[0194]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary telecommunications network, forimplementing the Intelligent Call Forwarding aspects of the invention.As in the case of Flexible Call Forwarding, the subscriber is able toaccess to the Intelligent Call Forwarding service by GUI via theInternet 44 and by DTMF telephone via an IVR 45, through a common SMS48.

[0195]FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary telecommunications network of thepresent invention, including ICID, in an alternative embodiment of theinvention. As in FIG. 1, the network of FIG. 20 includes a calling party20, an originating SSP 21, a terminating SSP 24, a subscriber'stelephone 25, an SMS 48, an STP 22 and an SCP 23, examples of which havebeen previously described. The network also includes a name database 50,a local number portability (LNP) database 55, a registration server (RS)56, a heartbeat server 58 and an Internet Call Waiting (ICW) server 61.The name database 50 can be, for example, a LIDB. An associated datanetwork of the invention includes a Web client 30 and a Web server 54,connectable through the Internet 44. The Web client 30 includes a PC 32operating client software 34, an example of which is ICW Client,available from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.

[0196] Generally, Intelligent Call Forwarding enables a subscriber todirect incoming calls to alternative telephone numbers, both when thesubscriber's phone 25 is busy or not busy. In an embodiment, IntelligentCall Forwarding further includes several optional features that thesubscriber customizes. Among these features is a weekly scheduler, whichenables the subscriber to construct a weekly schedule of multiple timesfor activating and deactivating Intelligent Call Forwarding, as well asany features associated with Intelligent Call Forwarding. For example,the scheduler indicates the times at which the priority screening listand screening rejection list are on/off, which times do not necessarilycorrespond to the Intelligent Call Forwarding service activation. Thescheduler also designates the telephone numbers to which calls are to beforwarded corresponding to the various services and their various on/offtimes. The scheduler is implemented through a tod/dow table, which isstored at the SCP 23 and accessible by the subscriber via the Internet44.

[0197] The priority screening list is available for use at thesubscriber's option. The list contains the names and telephone numbersof priority callers, as designated by the subscriber. In an embodiment,if the priority screening list has been activated, the SCP 23 will onlyprocess calls originating from phone numbers included in the list. Allother calls are terminated at the subscriber's phone 25. The processingincludes either sending a message to the subscriber engaged in theInternet session, notifying the subscriber of the priority caller, orforwarding the priority callers to a priority, alternative telephonenumber, where they hear a voice announcement and are provided the optionto leave a message. The priority screening list is implemented through ascreening table, which is stored at the SCP 23 and accessible by thesubscriber via the Internet, as discussed in detail below.

[0198] Similarly, the rejection screening list is available for use atthe subscriber's option. This list contains the names and telephonenumbers of callers from which the subscriber does not want to acceptcalls. If a number is on the rejection screening list, and the list isactive, then the call is terminated at the subscriber's phone 25, or itis terminated to a directory number specifically reserved to respond torejection screening list callers. In an embodiment, this alternativenumber provides a voice announcement and an option for the screenedcaller to leave a message. As in the case of the priority screening listfeature, the rejection screening list is implemented through a rejectionscreening table, which is stored at the SCP 23 and accessible for updateby the subscriber via the Internet 44 and the Web server 54.

[0199] A subscriber's exemplary interaction with Intelligent CallForwarding is depicted in the call flow diagram of FIG. 21. As with theFlexible Call Forwarding service, the subscriber is able to access theIntelligent Call Forwarding service via the Internet or IVR 45, therebygreatly increasing flexibility and convenience. FIG. 21 depictsinteraction with Intelligent Call Forwarding over the Internet, using aGUI, which includes the more complicated procedures for customizing theservice, such as building the screening lists and weekly schedules. Inthe Internet interface, the subscriber accesses a unique URL associatedwith the service provider to obtain the Web screens of Intelligent CallForwarding, provided by the SMS 48. In an embodiment, an alternativemanner for accessing the Intelligent Call Forwarding data via theInternet is through the PCM service, described above.

[0200] As shown at step 302 of FIG. 21, in order to access IntelligentCall Forwarding, the subscriber must log-on to the Web server 54 fromthe Web client 30 through the Internet 44. This step incorporates use ofany compatible Web browser, such as such as Microsoft Internet Explorer4.0, Netscape Navigator 4.7 or HotJava. The Web client 30 alsoincorporates Intelligent Call Forwarding enabling software 34, such asICW Client, available from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Once onthe Internet 44, the subscriber connects to the Web server 54. The Webserver 54 receives HTTP messages from the subscriber Web client 30 andprovides HTML Web pages in response to the subscriber's input. The Webpages relate to the subscriber's Intelligent Call Forwarding service.

[0201] Once connected to the Web server 54, the user must provideauthentication information to access the corresponding account, throughthe Web server 54 at step 303. The SMS 48 performs the authentication.After receiving the account number and associated PIN from thesubscriber via the Web server 54, the SMS 48 retrieves theauthentication data at step 304 to confirm that the subscriber is anauthorized user.

[0202] After successful authentication, the SMS 48 retrieves at step 306the current service data for Intelligent Call Forwarding, includingcurrent screening lists and weekly schedules. The SMS 48 transmits theinformation, along with a list of additional services and phone numbers,if any, corresponding to the subscriber, to the Web server 54 at step307. The Web server 54 forwards the information to the Web client 30 atstep 308, via the Internet 44. The subscriber is presented with a numberof options for each telephone number in the account. For example, thesubscriber can. change the PIN, enter the forwarding directory number,toggle the Intelligent Call Forwarding service ON or OFF, and activateor deactivate the priority screening list, the rejection screening listand the weekly schedule. In addition, the subscriber can build or editthe priority screening lists and weekly schedules. Once the changes havebeen entered by the subscriber and forwarded to the Web server 54 atstep 310, the Web server 54 forwards the updated data to the SMS 48 atstep 311. The SMS 48 stores the data and also updates the SCP 23 at step312 for implementation.

[0203] The Web pages and associated prompts for input by the subscriberare similar to those shown in FIGS. 3-8 in reference to Flexible CallForwarding. In addition, FIG. 22 depicts an exemplary Web page relatedto the rejection screening list (which may also be included in theFlexible Call Forwarding service). The Web page is displayed on themonitor of PC 32 at the Web client 30 and includes the subscriber'stelephone number 350, which in this example is 847-555-1111. Thesubscriber may enter the telephone numbers of calls to be accepted andrejected by building the priority and rejection screening lists,respectively. Box 340 of FIG. 22 shows various directory numbers thatthe subscriber has identified for special treatment. It also containsthe ALL calling numbers options, which when selected by the subscriber,causes the Intelligent Call Forwarding service to process all incomingcalls to the subscriber's phone number 350 the same.

[0204] In this example, the calling numbers on the subscriber's priorityscreening list are indicated by a single asterisk and calling numbers onthe rejection screening list are indicted by double asterisks. In anembodiment of the invention, the calling numbers on the screening listscan be highlighted in different colors, for example, to aid thesubscriber in visually distinguishing priority calling number fromrejection calling numbers. The subscriber can then select theannouncement to be played for each screening list. In this example,announcement 342, i.e., “I'll call you back later,” is played inresponse to calling numbers on the priority screening list andannouncement 344, i.e., “Call me back later,” is played in response tocalling numbers on the rejection screening list. The ON/OFF icons 346and 348 activate and deactivate the announcements 342 and 344,respectively. As in all embodiments of the invention, the activation anddeactivation may be accomplished by the GUI at Web client 30 via theInternet or by a DTMF telephone in conjunction with the IVR 45 via thePSTN.

[0205] Of course, numerous other options are available to thesubscriber, such as message playback language. The “S” and “E”indicators show that the message will be played in Spanish and English,respectively. Other languages are of course possible. Moreover, thesubscriber may elect to be notified at the Web client 30 of calls fromnumbers on the priority screening list during the Internet session,while calls from numbers on the rejection screening list are notnotified to the subscriber. Instead, the rejected calls may hear a busysignal or may be forwarded to a number or prerecorded message reservedfor rejected calls. The exemplary Web page of FIG. 9 also depicts atypical summary screen of the Intelligent Call Forwarding service.

[0206] The subscriber can alternatively interact with Intelligent CallForwarding using the IVR 45, exemplary steps of which are shown in FIG.23. Access through the IVR 45 is slightly limited in that the subscribercannot actually build or edit screening lists and weekly schedules.However, the subscriber can access all other features of IntelligentCall Forwarding, including changing the PIN, toggling the service ON orOFF, and activating/deactivating the priority screening list, therejection screening list and the weekly schedule.

[0207] Referring to FIG. 23, the subscriber calls a toll free numberfrom any DTMF telephone, which directly accesses the IVR 45, shown atstep 320. FIG. 23 depicts, as an example, the call originating from thesubscriber phone 25. The IVR 45 receives the call and initiates arequest for various authentication information, including the accountand PIN number. These numbers coincide with the account and PIN numbersused to access the Flexible Call Forwarding service via the Internet 44.The pre-programmed voice announcements for this aspect of the inventionreside in the IVR 45, and implementation of the voice announcements iswell known. The authentication information is provided using the touchtone from the key pad of the DTMF telephone 25. The IVR 45 forwards theinformation to the SMS 48 at step 322, which in turn verifies theauthorization at step 324.

[0208] After verification, the system operates in much the same way asdescribed above with respect to a GUI and the Internet. Specifically,the SMS 48 retrieves account information, including the status ofIntelligent Call Forwarding service, at step 326. At step 328, the SMS48 provides the account information to the IVR 45, which verbally recitea menu of options to the subscriber at step 330 based on the informationreceived from the SMS 45. For example, if the subscriber has previouslybuilt a priority screening list, activation of this list will beincluded among the options provided to the user over the telephone. Thesubscriber listens to the options and inputs various choices at step 332via the telephone touch tone key pad, including, for example turning onIntelligent Call Forwarding or selecting and activating a predefinedpriority screening list, rejection screening list or weekly schedule.The subscriber can also set the automatic-off function date and time.

[0209] The commands are forwarded from the IVR 45 to the SMS 45 at step334. The SMS 45 then updates the Intelligent Call Forwarding datacontained in the SCP 23 at step 336. Once the data is stored at the SCP23, the Intelligent Call Forwarding service is set with respect toincoming calls, in accordance with the customizing instructions from thesubscriber.

[0210] Once Intelligent Call Forwarding is customized and activated, itis implemented in much the same way as ICID. In an embodiment of theinvention, a TAT is assigned to the subscriber's directory number orline, depending upon the type of switch. Once the trigger has beenassigned and activated, every terminating call to the subscriber's line25 will cause the terminating SSP 24 to suspend the call and send an AINquery message, via the existing SS7 network and the appropriate STP 22,to the subscriber's serving SCP 23 for instructions. The SCP 23 stores acall processing record for each subscriber and requests information fromthe other network elements. In particular, the SCP 23 receives the TATquery from the SSP 24 and responds to the SSP 24 with routinginstructions for calls to subscribers.

[0211] In one embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 20, the RS 56 receivesregistration requests from the client software 34 when the subscriberlogs on to the Internet 44 and activates the service. The RS 56 storesinformation related to the subscriber's on-line Internet status. The RS56 is the first database accessed by the SCP 23 during the processing ofan Intelligent Call Forwarding or an ICID call. Based upon theinformation provided in a GetData query, the RS 56 returns a responsecontaining information associated with requested data elements to theSCP 23. For example, the RS 56 responds to the GetData query from theSCP 23 with information about the subscriber's Internet session status.Alternatively, the SCP 23 itself can determine the subscriber's on-lineInternet status.

[0212] A GetData query, sent via TCP/IP, includes an identifier, aservice key, and a data element. The identifier indicates that the queryis a GetData query, the service key contains an indication of thesubscriber for which information is requested and, optionally, securityinformation. The data element is the calling party's name beingretrieved.

[0213] Additionally, the SCP 23 uses the name database 50 database toretrieve calling party name information associated with the callingparty's telephone number for transmission to the subscriber. Theinterface between the name database 50 and the SCP 23 is the BellcoreGetData query provided over the SS7 network. With this interface, theSCP 23 can receive data from the name database 50. To support theGetData query, the SCP 23 accesses the name database 50 with thedirectory number of the calling party in order to obtain the callingparty name. Detailed information about the GetData interface may beobtained in Bellcore GR-2838-CORE, Generic Requirements for GetData, thedisclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. Alternatively, depending on the capabilities of the SCP 23,the calling party name can be stored and retrieved at the SCP 23 withoutan external database.

[0214] If it is determined that the subscriber is on-line, the SCP 23queries the LNP database 55, in a known manner, to determine if thecalling party number received in the TAT query has been ported. Thetelephone number received in a response from the LNP database 55 is usedto determine the calling party name, when it is available.

[0215] In this embodiment of the invention, the ICW server 61 is thecommunications interface between the SCP 23 and the client software 34at the Web client 30. Specifically, the ICW server 61 receivesinformation related to incoming calls from the SCP 23 and passes thisinformation directly to the subscriber via TCP/IP utilizing the Internet44. Further, the ICW server 61 passes de-registration requests from theclient software 34 to a heartbeat server 58.

[0216] Additionally, the SCP 23 provides the ICW server 61 with theclient software version number running on the subscriber's PC 32.Subsequently, the ICW server 61 determines if the subscriber has thelatest version of the client software. If the ICW server 61 determinesthat the subscriber does not have the latest version of the clientsoftware, it notifies the subscriber that they need to update theirclient software. This notification is given when the ICW server 61passes the caller identification information to the subscriber.

[0217] During the course of an active Internet session with theIntelligent Call Forwarding or the ICID service turned on, the clientsoftware 34 periodically transmits heartbeat messages via the Internet44 utilizing TCP/IP to the heartbeat server 58, in one embodiment of theinvention. In response, the heartbeat server 58 updates the RS 56 viaTCP/IP with the subscriber's on-line status, and notifies the RS 56 insituations where there is an interruption of heartbeat messages from theclient software 34, indicating a possible undesired disconnection of theInternet session. Additionally, if the subscriber currently connected tothe Internet 44 elects to accept an incoming telephone call (as will bediscussed later), the client software 34 sends a de-registrationrequest, which is passed to the heartbeat server 58.

[0218] After the RS 56 receives a registration request from the clientsoftware 34, the RS 56 sends a heartbeat setup message to the Heartbeatserver 58 via TCP/IP to alert it to expect to receive heartbeat messagesfrom the client. As a result, the heartbeat server 58 begins to receivekeep-alive messages from the client after the registration is completed.If the client sends a keep-alive message that does not match theinformation in the heartbeat server 58 memory, then the heartbeat server58 sends a registration database query to the RS 56 via TCP/IP. If thequery results match the data received, the copy in memory is updated. Ifthe results of the query do not match, the heartbeat server 58 opens aTCP/IP session to send a message instructing the client to re-registerwith the RS 56.

[0219] The interface between the SCP 23 and the RS 56 and between theSCP 23 and the ICW server 61 is, for example, the Bellcore GDI forTCP/IP. This interface provides the capability to send/receivetransactions to and from external systems over TCP/IP using TransactionCapabilities Application Part (TCAP) messages. The SCP 23 can get data,send data, or invoke an application (InvokeApp) from a database such asthe RS 56 or ICW server 61. More information may be obtained fromBellcore SR-3389, SCP Generic Data, Interface Specification for TCP/IP,Version 5.0, Issue 2, January 1997, the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0220] The client software 34 is the subscriber interface for theIntelligent Call Forwarding and the ICID services. As discussed above,the client software 34 permits the subscriber to turn the services ONand OFF, choose preset options, and select call disposition options. AnInvokeApp message is used to invoke the applications on the ICW server61 and to return the subscriber's selected disposition options.Additionally, the client software 34 provides a visual and audible alertto the subscriber of an incoming telephone call, sends Internetregistration and de-registration requests, sends the subscriber's optionselection to the ICW server 61, and sends heartbeat messages to theheartbeat server 58. An InvokeApp message, sent via TCP/IP, may includestandard AIN parameters, well known in the art.

[0221] The exemplary telecommunications network depicted in FIG. 20handles incoming calls according to various options invoked by thesubscriber, as depicted in exemplary call flow diagrams of FIGS. 24-30.FIG. 24 is a call flow diagram in which neither the Intelligent CallForwarding nor the ICID service has been turned on, or in which noactive Internet session exists, although in an embodiment, theIntelligent Call Forwarding service can be active even when there is noactive Internet session. At step 401, a telephone call is placed to thesubscriber. A TAT in the terminating SSP 24 causes the call to besuspended at the SSP 24. The trigger also causes the SSP 24 to transmitan AIN query message including the calling party number (if available)and called party number via the SS7 network and the appropriate STP 22to the subscriber's serving SCP 23 at step 402. At step 403, the SCP 23sends a GetData query to the RS 56 with the called party's telephonenumber to request the on-line status of the subscriber. At step 404, theSCP 23 sets a timer equal to a predetermined time, e.g., 2 seconds. Inthe event that the RS 56 does not respond within the predetermined time(indicating a timeout condition) or responds with an error, the SCP 23sends an authorize termination response to the SSP 24. As a result, theSSP 24 terminates the suspended telephone call at the subscriber's lineand the call may encounter features programmed on the line, e.g., callwaiting.

[0222] If it is determined at the RS 56 that the subscriber is notcurrently on-line or has the services turned off, the RS 56 respondswith a “0” at step 405. The SCP 23 then sends an authorize terminationresponse to the SSP 24 at step 406, which terminates the call to thesubscriber's telephone line at step 407. As a result, a connection ismade between the calling party and the subscriber. As the call attemptsto terminate, it encounters any features programmed on the subscriber'stelephone line, e.g., call waiting.

[0223]FIG. 25 is a call flow diagram in which the subscriber elects toaccept the incoming telephone call. The telephone call is placed by thecalling party 20 and handled according to steps 401-404, describedabove. If the subscriber is on-line and the Intelligent Call Forwardingor the ICID service is active, the RS 56 responds with a “1” at step405. The RS 56 also responds with the IP address, port number andsubscriber key information for the subscriber's Internet session.

[0224] At step 426, a check is performed at the SCP 23 to confirm thatthe subscriber has voice mail service. Also, the SCP 23 determineswhether the presentation restriction value is restricted or unavailable.If the presentation restriction value is restricted and the called partysubscribes to the Anonymous Call Rejection (ACR) service, an authorizetermination response is sent to the SSP 24 allowing the call to berejected. ACR prevents calls to subscribers when a calling party blockstheir number.

[0225] If the calling party number is delivered with the query and thepresentation restriction indicator for the incoming call is allowed, theSCP 23 launches a query to the local number portability database 55 todetermine whether the received calling party number is ported. Thetelephone number returned in the response is either equal to the callingparty number sent in the query if the telephone number is not ported orthe local routing number if the telephone number is ported. Thetelephone number from the response is used as the calling party numberand checked against entries in a table to determine if the NPA-NXXbelongs to a participating local exchange carrier (LEC). A participatingLEC is one that provides data from its LIDB, or allows access to itsLIDB.

[0226] If the calling party number is found to be a participating LEC, aGetData query is launched to the name database 50 at step 427 toretrieve the calling party's name. If the calling party number was notdelivered with the query, or there is no participating LEC, or thepresentation restriction indicator for the incoming call is anonymous orunavailable, the SCP 23 will not launch a GetData query to the namedatabase 50 to retrieve the calling party's name. In this event, thecalling party name is null in the InvokeApp query to the ICW server 61.If available, the calling party's name is sent to the SCP 23 from thename database 50 at step 428.

[0227] At step 429, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 to play a “pleasehold” announcement to the calling party to request the calling party tohold the line (step 430). At step 431, the SCP 23 sends an InvokeApprequest to the ICW server 61. The request contains the called partynumber, the calling party number (if available and not presentationrestricted), the calling party name (if available and not presentationrestricted), an associated IP address, the port number, the clientsoftware version, and an indicator as to whether or not the subscriberhas voice mail service.

[0228] At step 432, the SCP 23 sets a timer equal to a predeterminedtime, e.g., 25 seconds. In the event that the ICW server 61 does notrespond within the predetermined time (indicating a timeout condition)or responds with an error, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 to stopplaying the “please hold” announcement to the caller. Then, the SSP 24begins playing an announcement to the caller or forwarding the call inaccordance with the Intelligent Call Forwarding instructions. When voicemail is available, the message informs the caller that the call is beingforwarded to a voice mail service. Lastly, the SCP 23 sends an authorizetermination response to the SSP 24. If the subscriber does not havevoice mail service, an error is reported and the SCP 23 sends anauthorize termination response to the SSP 23. As a result, the SSP 23terminates the suspended telephone call to the subscriber's telephoneline and the call encounters any other features programmed on the line.

[0229] If no timeout occurs, at step 433 the ICW server 61 sends amessage via the Internet 44 to the subscriber, which appears on thesubscriber's display at Web client 30, informing the subscriber of theincoming call and presenting the subscriber with disposition options forthe call. The message displayed may be a pop-up dialog box.

[0230] At step 434, the subscriber elects to accept the telephone call,and as a result, the client software 34 responds to the ICW server 61with option 1 and will send a deregistration message to the RS 56, andbegin to terminate the subscriber's Internet session. The ICW server 61passes the subscriber's option 1 selection to the SCP 23 at step 435. Atstep 436, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 to stop playing the “pleasehold” announcement to the caller. At step 437, the “please hold”announcement is terminated by the SSP 24 and at step 438, the SSP 24sends a resource clear message to the SCP 23 confirming that the messageis no longer playing. At step 439, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 tobegin playing a “will take your call” announcement to the caller (step440). At step 441, the SSP 24 sends a resource clear message to the SCP23. At the conclusion of the “will take your call” announcement, the SCP23 sends an authorize termination response to the SSP 24 whichterminates the suspended call to the subscriber's telephone line (steps442-443). That is, the calling party 20 is connected to the subscriberphone 25.

[0231]FIG. 26 is a call flow diagram in which the subscriber is on-lineand elects to forward an incoming telephone call to voice mail service.The telephone call placed to the subscriber is processed according tosteps 401-433, discussed above. In response to the query from the ICWserver 61 (at step 433), the subscriber elects option 2 at step 474 tosend the incoming telephone call to voice mail service. As a result, theclient software 34 responds to the ICW server 61 and will not terminatethe subscriber's Internet session.

[0232] The ICW server 61 passes the subscriber's option 2 selection tothe SCP 23 at step 475. At step 476, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 tostop playing the “please hold” announcement to the caller. At step 477,the “please hold” announcement is terminated by the SSP 24 and at step478, the SSP 24 sends a resource clear message to the SCP 23 confirmingthat the message is no longer playing. At step 479, the SCP 40 instructsthe SSP 24 to begin playing a “forwarding to voice mail service”announcement to the caller (step 480). At step 481, the SSP 24 sends aresource clear message to the SCP 23.

[0233] At the conclusion of the “forwarding to voice mail service”announcement, the SCP 23 sends an authorize termination response to theSSP 24 which terminates the suspended call to the subscriber's busytelephone line (steps 482-483). As the call attempts to terminate at thesubscriber's line, the call encounters programming associated with voicemail service and the call is forwarded accordingly. Ultimately, thecalling party is connected with the subscriber's voice mail box and hasthe option of leaving a message.

[0234]FIG. 27 is a call flow diagram in which the subscriber is on-lineand elects to send an incoming telephone call to an announcement. Thetelephone call placed to the subscriber is processed according to steps401-433, discussed above. In response to the query from the ICW server61, the subscriber elects to send the telephone call to an announcementat step 514. As a result, the client software 34 responds to the ICWserver 61 with the announcement selection number, which includes twochoices. The first message that may be played advises the caller thatthe subscriber is busy and that the caller should call back later. Thesecond option advises the caller that the subscriber is busy and thatthe subscriber will return the call to the caller at a later time.

[0235] The ICW server 61 passes the subscriber's selection to the SCP 23at step 515. At step 516, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 to stopplaying the “please hold” announcement to the caller. At step 517, the“please hold” announcement is terminated by the SSP 24 and at step 518,the SSP 24 sends a resource clear message to the SCP 23 confirming thatthe message is no longer playing. At step 519, the SCP 23 instructs theSSP 24 to begin playing the selected announcement (step 520). At step521, the SSP 24 sends a resource clear message to the SCP 23. At theconclusion of the selected announcement, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24to disconnect the call at step 522.

[0236]FIG. 28 is a call flow diagram in which the subscriber is on-lineand elects to forward an incoming telephone call to another telephoneline. The telephone call placed to the subscriber is processed accordingto steps 401-433, discussed above. In response to the query from the ICWserver 61, the subscriber elects option 3 to redirect the call toanother telephone number at step 614. As a result, the client software34 responds to the ICW server 61 with option 3 and a ten digit “forwardto” telephone number as selected by the subscriber. The ICW server 61passes the subscriber's option 3 selection and the selected ten digit“forward to” telephone number to the SCP 23 at step 615.

[0237] At step 616, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 to stop playing the“please hold” announcement to the caller. At step 617, the “please hold”announcement is terminated by the SSP 24 and at step 618 the SSP 24sends a resource clear message to the SCP 23 confirming that the messageis no longer playing. At step 619, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 tobegin playing a “forwarding to another number” announcement to thecaller (step 620). At step 621, the SSP 24 sends a resource clearmessage to the SCP 23. At the conclusion of the “forwarding to anothernumber” announcement, the SCP 23 sends a Forward Call response to theSSP 24 which initiates the process of forwarding the call to thespecified telephone number (step 622). Ultimately, the calling party isconnected to the forwarded number through the SSP 24.

[0238] In FIGS. 26-28, if the subscriber does not respond to the queryfrom ICW server 61, or if the RS 56 indicates that the subscriber is nolonger on-line, the SCP 23 processes the incoming call in accordancewith the subscriber's previously built and stored call forwarding data.In one embodiment of the invention, the subscriber can specificallychoose to instruct the SCP 23 to process the call in accordance withpreviously built and stored call forwarding data, in response to thequery from ICW server 61. Processing calls in accordance with previouslybuilt and stored call forwarding data is discussed in detail in regardto FIGS. 32-34, below.

[0239]FIG. 29 is a call flow diagram in which the caller abandons atelephone call after a response from the ICW server 61. The telephonecall placed to the subscriber is processed according to steps 401-433,discussed above. In response to the query from the ICW server 61, thesubscriber elects a call disposition option described herein in order tocontrol the incoming telephone call. As a result, the client software 34responds to the ICW server 61 with the option at step 714. The ICWserver 61 passes the subscriber's option selection to the SCP 23 at step715.

[0240] At step 716, the caller abandons the telephone call by hangingup, in which case the SSP 24 stops playing the “please hold”announcement to the caller at step 717 and at step 718, the SSP 24 sendsresource clear message to the SCP 23 due the abandonment of thetelephone call by the caller. At step 719, the SCP 23 terminates callprocessing record (CPR) processing.

[0241]FIG. 30 is a call flow diagram in which the caller abandons thetelephone call before a response from the ICW server 61 is received. Thetelephone call placed to the subscriber is processed according to steps401-433, discussed above. In response to the query from the ICW server61, the subscriber elects a call disposition option to control the callat step 724. As a result, the client software 34 responds to the ICWserver 61 with the selected option. At step 725, the caller abandons thetelephone call by hanging up, in which case the SSP 24 stops playing the“please hold” announcement to the caller at step 726 and at step 727,the SSP 20 sends a resource clear message to the SCP 23 due theabandonment of the telephone call by the caller. At step 728, the SCP 23terminates CPR processing, ignoring any responses from the ICW server 61related to this disconnected call at step 729.

[0242] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as depicted inFIG. 1, a service node (e.g., SN/IP 57) essentially replaces thecombination of the ICW server 61, the RS 56 and the heartbeat server 58.In particular, whenever the subscriber connects to the Internet 44, theSN/IP 57 is automatically notified of the on-line status. The SN/IP 57contemporaneously forwards the subscriber's on-line status to the SCP23, regardless of whether a call to the subscriber's number is beingprocessed. The SCP 23 stores the on-line status data in conjunction withthe other data related to the subscriber. The data is stored as a YESindication in the subscriber's Internet provider (SIP) field. Likewise,when the subscriber exits the Internet session, the SN/IP 57 is notifiedthat the subscriber is no longer on-line. The SN/IP 57 likewisetransmits this information to the SCP 23, which changes the SIPindication to NO. Therefore, when a telephone call to the subscriber'sphone 25 is processed according to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1,the SCP 23 determines the on-line status without having to query anexternal server.

[0243]FIG. 31 is a call flow diagram depicting the process by which thesubscriber elects to accept the incoming telephone call, according tothe embodiment of FIG. 1. At step 801, a telephone call is placed by thecalling party 20 to the subscriber's phone 25. A TAT in the terminatingSSP 24 causes the call to be suspended at the SSP 24. The trigger alsocauses the SSP 24 to transmit an AIN query message including the callingparty number (if available) and called party number via the SS7 networkand the appropriate STP 22 to the subscriber's serving SCP 23 at step802. At step 803, a check is performed at the SCP 23 to confirm that thesubscriber has voice mail service. Also, the SCP 23 determines whetherthe presentation restriction value is restricted or unavailable. If thepresentation restriction value is restricted and the called partysubscribes to the ACR service, an authorize termination response is sentto the SSP 24 allowing the call to be rejected. ACR prevents calls tosubscribers when a calling party blocks their number.

[0244] If the calling party number is delivered with the query and thepresentation restriction indicator for the incoming call is allowed, theSCP 23 launches a query to an LNP database (not pictured), for example,to determine whether the received calling party number is ported. Thetelephone number returned in the response is either equal to the callingparty number sent in the query if the telephone number is not ported orthe local routing number if the telephone number is ported. Thetelephone number from the response is used as the calling party numberand checked against entries in a table to determine if the NPA-NXXbelongs to a participating LEC.

[0245] If the calling party number is found to be a participating LEC, aquery is launched to the name database 50 at step 804 to retrieve thecalling party's name. The name database 50 can be, for example, anexternal LIDB or a local real time database (RTDB) servicing the SCP 23.If the calling party number was not delivered with the query, or thereis no participating LEC, or the presentation restriction indicator forthe incoming call is anonymous or unavailable, the SCP 23 will notlaunch the query to the name database 50 and the SSP 24 terminates thesuspended telephone call at the subscriber's line. If available, thecalling party's name is sent to the SCP 23 from the name database 50 atstep 805.

[0246] At step 806, the SCP 23 determines the on-line status of thesubscriber. As discussed above, this information is previously providedby the SN/IP 57 to the SCP 23. Therefore, the SCP 23 simply retrievesthe on-line status data from it subscriber database. If the subscriberis not currently on-line, the SCP 23 sends an authorize terminationresponse to the SSP 24, which terminates the call to the subscriber'stelephone line. However, if the subscriber is on-line, as shown in FIG.31, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 to play a “please hold” announcementto the calling party at step 807 to request the calling party to holdthe line (step 808).

[0247] At step 809, the SCP 23 sends a subscriber Internet provider(SIP) invite to the SN/IP 57. The SIP invite contains the called partynumber, the calling party number (if available and not presentationrestricted), the calling party name (if available and not presentationrestricted), the IP address, the port number, the client softwareversion, an indicator as to whether or not the subscriber has voice mailservice and a session key. At step 810, the SCP 23 sets a timer equal toa predetermined time, e.g., 25 seconds. In the event that the SN/IP 57does not respond within the predetermined time (indicating a timeoutcondition) or responds with an error, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 tostop playing the “please hold” announcement to the caller. Then, the SSP24 begins playing an announcement to the caller or forwarding the callin accordance with the Intelligent Call Forwarding instructions. Whenvoice mail is available, the message informs the caller that the call isbeing forwarded to a voice mail service. Lastly, the SCP 23 sends anauthorize termination response to the SSP 24. If the subscriber does nothave voice mail service, an error is reported and the SCP 23 sends anauthorize termination response to the SSP 23. As a result, the SSP 23terminates the suspended telephone call to the subscriber's telephoneline and the call encounters any other features programmed on the line.

[0248] If no timeout occurs, at step 811, the SN/IP 57 sends a messagevia the Internet 44 to the subscriber, which appears on the subscriber'sdisplay at Web client 30, informing the subscriber of the incoming calland presenting the subscriber with disposition options for the call. Themessage displayed may be a pop-up dialog box.

[0249] At step 812, the subscriber elects to accept the telephone call,and as a result, the client software 34 responds to the SN/IP 57 with anOK message encrypted with the session key. In response, the SN/IP 57initiates termination of the subscriber's Internet session. The SN/IP 57also passes the subscriber's selection to accept the incoming call tothe SCP 23 at step 813. At step 814, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 tostop playing the “please hold” announcement to the caller. At step 815,the “please hold” announcement is terminated by the SSP 24 and at step816 the SSP 24 sends a resource clear message to the SCP 23 confirmingthat the message is no longer playing.

[0250] At step 817, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 to begin playing a“will take your call” announcement to the caller (step 818). At step819, the SSP 24 sends a resource clear message to the SCP 23. At theconclusion of the “will take your call” announcement, the SCP 23 sendsan authorize termination response to the SSP 24 which terminates thesuspended call to the subscriber's telephone line (steps 820-821). Thatis, the calling party 20 is connected to the subscriber phone 25.

[0251] In comparison to FIG. 25, which is the call flow when thesubscriber elects to accept an incoming call while on-line, according tothe embodiment of FIG. 20, FIG. 34 differs only through step 810. Afterstep 810, the embodiments are substantially the same. Therefore,substitution of steps 801 through 810 in the call flows of FIGS. 24 and26-30 produces a corresponding call flow diagram depicting theembodiment of FIG. 1. These alternative call flows will therefore not berepeated herein to avoid redundancy.

[0252] FIGS. 32-34 show an exemplary flowchart diagram of the SCPservice logic, according to an aspect of the present invention, wheneverIntelligent Call Forwarding has been activated. At step s302 of FIG. 32,a query, including the called party's telephone number and the callingparty's telephone number, is received by the SCP 23 from the terminatingswitch SSP 24. At step s304, a table is used to derive the LATA basedupon the NPA-NXX of the called party number. In the embodiment depictedin FIG. 20, the LATA is used to determine the corresponding registrationserver 56 and ICW server 61 to query for the GetData and InvokeApprequests. The system selects from among multiple registration serversand ICW servers assigned to predetermined areas.

[0253] Subsequently, at decision diamond s306 the SCP 23 launches aquery to the appropriate server to obtain the subscriber's on-linestatus and sets a timer equal to a predetermined time, e.g., 2 seconds.If the query is unsuccessful, an error is reported and the SCP 23instructs the SSP 24 to terminate the suspended call to the subscriber'sline. If however, the query is successful, the subscriber's on-linestatus is determined at decision diamond s306.

[0254] In an alternative embodiment, which incorporates the SN/IP 57 asshown in FIG. 1, there is no need for the SCP 23 to send a query to aserver to determine the subscriber's on-line status. Instead, the SCP 23already has that data stored and available. Every time the subscriberinitiates an Internet session, a service node (e.g., SN/IP 57) isnotified. The service node, in turn, systematically notifies the SCP 23that the subscriber is on-line and the SCP 23 stores the on-line statusinformation. Therefore, when the SCP 23 receives a TAT query from SSP 24regarding the subscriber's telephone number, the SCP 23 already has anon-line indication without having to query an external server. In otherwords, pursuant to the embodiment of FIG. 1, step s304 is by-passed anddecision diamond s306 is executed using data already stored at the SCP23.

[0255] If at decision diamond s306, it is determined that the subscriberis not on-line, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 according to anyservices associated with the called number. If the subscriber hasIntelligent Call Forwarding, the SCP 23 proceeds to step s340 of FIG. 34to implement call forwarding options, as discussed below.

[0256] If the subscriber is on-line, a determination is made toascertain whether the presentation restriction value is restricted orunavailable, at decision diamond s310. If the presentation restrictionindicator for the incoming call is “allowed,” the SCP 23 launches aquery to the a name database to determine whether the received callingparty number is a ported telephone number at step s312. If the query issuccessful, the telephone number returned in the response is eitherequal to the calling party number sent in the query if the telephonenumber is not ported, or the local routing number if the telephonenumber is ported. The telephone number returned in the response ischecked against entries in a table to determine if the NPA-NXX belongsto a participating LEC, in which case a query is launched to the namedatabase 50 to retrieve the calling party's name at step s312.

[0257] If either query is not successful, an error is reported, thecalling party name is set to null, and a determination is made as towhether the subscriber has voice mail service. Next, when the callingparty name and number have been retrieved from the name database 50 atstep s314, a “please hold” announcement is played to the caller. If thesubscriber has voice mail service, the caller is advised that the calledparty is on another call and that the caller should wait, and that thewait may take fifteen seconds. If the subscriber does not have voicemail service, the caller is advised that the called party is on anothercall, and that if the caller's call is not taken, the caller may hear abusy signal or be transferred to another number.

[0258] If the calling party name is not in the name database 50, anerror is reported, the calling party name is set to null, and adetermination is made as to whether the subscriber has voice mailservice. Next, at step s314 a “please hold” announcement is played tothe caller. An appropriate message is played, depending on whether thesubscriber has voice mail service.

[0259] If a call is received with a presentation restriction indicatorof restricted (i.e., anonymous) and the subscriber has the ACR featureactivated, an authorization response is sent to the SSP 24 and thesuspended call attempts to terminate at the subscriber's line. If no ACRfeature is active, or if the presentation restriction value isunavailable, the calling party name is set to null and the calling partynumber is set to anonymous or unavailable. Next, at step s314 a “pleasehold” announcement is played to the caller. An appropriate message isplayed, depending on whether the subscriber has voice mail service.

[0260] At step s316, the SCP 23 contacts the appropriate server (e.g.,via an InvokeApp request to the ICW server 61 of FIG. 20) or servicenode (e.g., via an SIP invite to the SN/IP 57 of FIG. 1) with a requestthat includes the called party number, calling party number (ifavailable and not presentation restricted), the calling party name (ifavailable and not presentation restricted), IP address, port number,client software version number, and an indicator as to whether thesubscriber has voice mail service. If there is no response within apredetermined time period, e.g., 25 seconds (indicating a timeoutcondition), an error is reported and an authorization response will besent to the SSP 24 and the suspended call will attempt to terminate atthe subscriber's line. If, however, there is a response within thepredetermined time period, a determination is made as to whether thecaller has abandoned the call at decision diamond s318. If the call wasabandoned, the connection is disconnected at step s320. If the caller isstill on the line, the server or the service node formats an Internetmessage to the client software 34 on the subscriber's PC 32, whichcauses a pop-up box dialog box to be displayed on the subscriber'sdisplay, informing the subscriber of the incoming call and presentingthe subscriber with several call disposition options.

[0261] Referring to FIG. 33, which continues the flow of FIG. 32, acheck is made at decision diamond s322 to determine whether thesubscriber selected a call disposition option and the please holdannouncement is terminated. If no call disposition option is made withina predetermined time period, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 to beginplaying a “call me back later” announcement at step s330, after whichthe SSP 24 disposes of the call at step s332, ending the logic flow ats320.

[0262] If the subscriber selects a call disposition option (decisiondiamond s322—YES), the SCP 23 first determines whether the subscriberhas expressly rejected the call at decision diamond s323. If the call isrejected, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 to begin playing a “call meback later” announcement at step s330, after which the SSP 24 disposesof the call at step s332, ending the logic flow at s320.

[0263] If the subscriber elects to accept the incoming call (decisiondiamond s324—YES), the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 to begin playing a“will take your call” announcement at step s330, after which the SCP 23sends an authorize termination response to the SSP 24 which terminatesthe suspended call to the subscriber's telephone line at step s332.

[0264] If the subscriber elects to forward the incoming call to voicemail service (decision diamond s326—YES), the SCP 23 instructs the SSP24 to begin playing an announcement to the caller that the call is beingforwarded to a voice mail service at step s330, after which the SCP 23sends an authorize termination response to the SSP 24 at step s332. Thecall is then connected to the subscriber's voice mail service.

[0265] If the subscriber elects to forward the incoming call to anothertelephone line (decision diamond s328—YES), the SCP 23 instructs the SSP24 to begin playing a “forwarding to another number” announcement atstep s330, after which the SCP 23 sends a Forward Call response to theSSP 24 at step s332. The call is then forwarded to the desired number.

[0266] If the subscriber elects to send the incoming call to anannouncement, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 to begin playing theannouncement selected by the subscriber at step s330. One option advisesthe caller that the subscriber is busy and that the caller should callback later. Another option advises the caller that the subscriber isbusy and that the subscriber will call the caller back later. After theselected announcement is played to the caller, the logic ends at steps320.

[0267]FIG. 34 continues the flow from FIG. 32 whenever it is determinedthat an Intelligent Call Forwarding subscriber is not on-line. Atdecision diamond s340, the SCP 23 determines whether call forwarding forall calls is active. If so, the incoming call is routed to theforwarding number at step s342. If not, it is determined whether thescheduler is active at decision diamond at s344. If the scheduler is ON,and the tod/dow is found at decision diamond s346, the SCP 23 processescalls according to the tod/dow table, if populated, at step s347.Processing the call according to the tod/dow table may includeterminating the call to the subscriber's phone number if the time of dayand day of the week correspond to a deactivation period.

[0268] If at decision diamond s344, it is determined that the scheduleris OFF, or if at decision diamond s346, it is determined that thescheduler is ON but the tod/dow table is not populated, the SCP 23determines whether subscriber has identified special routinginstructions based on the calling party number. First, the SCP 23determines whether the priority screening list is ON at decision diamonds348 and, if so, whether calling party number is on that list atdecision diamond s350. Whenever the calling party number is on thepriority screening list (decision diamond s350—YES), the SCP 23instructs the SSP 24 to route the incoming call to a pre-designatedpriority telephone number at step s352, ending the call, at s320.

[0269] Otherwise, the SCP 23 goes on to determine whether the rejectionscreening list is ON at decision diamond s354. Whenever the rejectionscreening list is ON, the SCP 23 determines whether the calling partynumber is on that list at decision diamond s356. Whenever the callingparty number is on the rejection screening list (decision diamonds356—YES), the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 to play an announcement atstep s358 rejecting the caller. In an alternative embodiment of theinvention, the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 to terminate the incomingcall to a directory number, without an announcement, predesignated bythe subscriber to receive rejected telephone calls, such as an voicemessage center, where the call is terminated. Whenever the rejectionscreening list is OFF (decision diamond 354—NO), or the rejectionscreening list is ON, but the calling party number is not on the list(decision diamond 356—NO), the SCP 23 instructs the SSP 24 to route thecall to the called number at step s355, ending the process at s320.

[0270] Although the invention has been described with reference toseveral exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that havebeen used are words of description and illustration, rather than wordsof limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appendedclaims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention in its aspects. Although the inventionhas been described with reference to particular means, materials andembodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to theparticulars disclosed; rather, the invention extends to all functionallyequivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are within the scope ofthe appended claims.

[0271] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention,the methods described herein are intended for operation as softwareprograms running on a computer processor. Dedicated hardwareimplementations including, but not limited to, application specificintegrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardwaredevices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods describedherein. Furthermore, alternative software implementations including, butnot limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributedprocessing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can alsobe constructed to implement the methods described herein.

[0272] It should also be noted that the software implementations of thepresent invention as described herein are optionally stored on atangible storage medium, such as: a magnetic medium such as a disk ortape; a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk; or a solidstate medium such as a memory card or other package that houses one ormore read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or otherre-writable (volatile) memories. A digital file attachment to e-mail orother self-contained information archive or set of archives isconsidered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storagemedium. Accordingly, the invention is considered to include a tangiblestorage medium or distribution medium, as listed herein and includingart-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the softwareimplementations herein are stored.

[0273] Although the present specification describes components andfunctions implemented in the embodiments with reference to particularstandards and protocols, the invention is not limited to such standardsand protocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packetswitched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP)represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards areperiodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents havingessentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards andprotocols having the same functions are considered equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for implementing an advanced intelligentnetwork (AIN) service associated with a subscriber, the systemcomprising: a processor that processes calls in a public switchedtelephone network (PSTN) in accordance with the AIN service and callservice data associated with the subscriber; and an interface thatinterfaces a web server in a packet switched data network with theprocessor, enabling the subscriber to customize the call service dataand to activate the AIN call service via the web server, and thatinterfaces an interactive voice response (IVR) platform in the PSTN withthe processor, enabling the subscriber to activate the AIN call servicevia the IVR platform.
 2. The system for implementing the AIN serviceaccording to claim 1, in which the web server is accessible by thesubscriber from a graphical user interface via the packet switched datanetwork.
 3. The system for implementing the AIN service according toclaim 1, in which the AIN service comprises a call forwarding service.4. The system for implementing the AIN service according to claim 3, inwhich the customized call service data comprises a schedule foractivating and deactivating the call forwarding service, the processorproviding instructions to route a call to a directory number of thesubscriber to a predetermined forwarding number based on the schedule.5. The system for implementing the AIN service according to claim 4, inwhich the schedule further comprises a forwarding number in associationwith each activating period of the schedule.
 6. The system forimplementing the AIN service according to claim 3, in which thecustomized call service data comprises a priority list having at leastone priority telephone number.
 7. The system for implementing the AINservice according to claim 6, in which the customized call service datafurther comprises at least one priority forwarding number correspondingto the at least one priority telephone number, the processor providinginstructions to route a call placed from the at least one prioritytelephone number to a directory number of the subscriber to thecorresponding at least one priority forwarding number.
 8. A method forimplementing an advanced intelligent network (AIN) service associatedwith a subscriber, in which a processor in a public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN) processes calls involving a directory number of thesubscriber in accordance with the AIN service and call service datacustomized by the subscriber for the AIN service, the method comprising:receiving the customized call service data from a web server in a packetswitched data network, the web server being accessible to the subscriberat a web client; storing the customized call service data in a databaseaccessible to the processor; and receiving an instruction to activatethe AIN service, in accordance with the customized call service data,via one of the web server and an interactive voice response (IVR)platform in the PSTN.
 9. The method for implementing the AIN serviceaccording to claim 8, in which the customized call service datacomprises a plurality of data sets created by the subscriber at the webclient, the method further comprising: receiving an instruction toactivate one of the plurality of data sets, associated with theactivated AIN service, via one of the web server and the IVR.
 10. Themethod for implementing the AIN service according to claim 9, in whichthe AIN service comprises a call forwarding service.
 11. The method forimplementing the AIN service according to claim 10, in which theplurality of data sets comprise a plurality of forward-to numbers, themethod further comprising: forwarding a call to a directory number ofthe subscriber to the activated forward-to number.
 12. The method forimplementing the AIN service according to claim 10, in which theplurality of data sets comprise a plurality of schedules, each of theplurality of schedules comprising at least one time period during whichcall forwarding functionality is active, the method further comprising:forwarding a call to a directory number of the subscriber to aforward-to number in accordance with the activated schedule.
 13. Themethod for implementing the AIN service according to claim 12, in whicheach of the plurality of schedules has a corresponding forward-tonumber.
 14. The method for implementing the AIN service according toclaim 10, in which the plurality of data sets comprise a plurality ofscreening lists, each of the plurality of screening lists comprising atleast one directory number, the method further comprising: forwardingcalls to a directory number of the subscriber, from the at least onedirectory number of the activated screening list, to a first forward-tonumber; and forwarding calls made to the directory number of thesubscriber, from a directory number other than the at least onedirectory number, to a second forward-to number.
 15. A method forrouting calls to a directory number of a subscriber, through a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), in accordance with call forwardingservice data of the subscriber, at least a portion of the callforwarding service data being customized by the subscriber, the methodcomprising: storing the call forwarding service data and the customizedportion of the service data in a database accessible to a processor inthe PSTN, the customized portion of the service data being received fromthe subscriber through a web server in a packet switched data network;receiving an instruction to activate the call forwarding service throughat least one of the web server and an interactive voice response (IVR)platform in the PSTN; and routing calls to the directory number of thesubscriber in accordance with at least the customized portion of callservice data when the call forwarding service is activated.
 16. Themethod for routing calls according to claim 15, in which the customizedportion of the service data comprises a schedule, defining at least oneactivation period during which calls to the directory number of thesubscriber are routed to a forward-to number associated with the atleast one activation period.
 17. The method for routing calls accordingto claim 15, in which the customized portion of the service datacomprises a screening list defining at least one screening list number,calls from the at least one screening list number to the directorynumber of the subscriber being routed to a forward-to number associatedwith the screening list.
 18. The method for routing calls according toclaim 15, in which the packet switched data network comprises theInternet.
 19. A system for implementing a call forwarding service of asubscriber when the subscriber is on-line on a packet switched datanetwork, the system comprising: a processor that processes calls in apublic switched telephone network (PSTN) in accordance with the callforwarding service and associated call service data, created by thesubscriber through a web client and a web server in the packet switcheddata network; an interface that interfaces the web server with theprocessor, enabling the subscriber to receive the call service datathrough the web server, to customize the call service data and to sendcontrol instructions to control the call forwarding service inaccordance with the call service data through the web server, and thatfurther interfaces an interactive voice response (IVR) platform in thePSTN with the processor, enabling the subscriber to send controlinstructions to control the call forwarding service in accordance withthe call service data via the IVR platform; and a service node thatdetects an on-line status of the web client and transmits an on-lineindication to the processor through the interface when the web client ison-line; wherein, when the processor receives the on-line indication,the processor sends information about calls to the subscriber'sdirectory number to the web client through the web server, receiveson-line instructions from the web client, and processes the call inaccordance with the on-line instructions and the call service data. 20.The system for implementing the call forwarding service according toclaim 19, wherein the service node does not transmit the on-lineindication to the processor when the service node does not detect anon-line status; and wherein the processor processes the calls to thesubscriber's directory number in accordance with the call service data.21. The system for implementing the call forwarding service according toclaim 19, in which the on-line instructions comprise at least one ofaccepting the call, processing the call in accordance with the callservice data, and forwarding the call to a specified forward-to number.22. The system for implementing the call forwarding service according toclaim 21, in which the call service data comprises a schedule foractivating and deactivating the call forwarding service, the processorproviding instructions to route a call to a directory number of thesubscriber to a predetermined forward-to number based on the schedule.23. The system for implementing the call forwarding service according toclaim 21, in which the call service data comprises a priority listhaving at least one priority telephone number, the processor providinginstructions to route a call placed from the at least one prioritytelephone number to a directory number of the subscriber to a priorityforward-to number.
 24. A method for implementing a call forwardingservice of a subscriber, the call forwarding service includingcustomized call service data associated with a directory number of thesubscriber, the method comprising: receiving the customized call servicedata from the subscriber through a web server in a packet switched datanetwork; storing the customized call service data in a databaseaccessible to a processor in a public switched telephone network;receiving an instruction to activate the AIN service, in accordance withthe customized call service data, via one of the web server and aninteractive voice response (IVR) platform in the PSTN; determiningwhether a web client, associated with the subscriber's directory number,is on-line in the packet switched data network when a call is made tothe subscriber's directory number; initiating a notice of the call,displayed at the web client, when the web client is determined to beon-line; receiving on-line call processing instructions from the webclient; processing the call according to the on-line call processinginstructions; and processing the call according to the customized callservice data when the web client is not determined to be on-line. 25.The method for implementing the call forwarding service according toclaim 24 in which the on-line instructions comprise at least one ofaccepting the call, processing the call in accordance with the callservice data, and forwarding the call to a specified forward-to number.26. The method for implementing the call forwarding service according toclaim 25, in which the customized call service data comprises at leastone of a schedule, a priority screening list and a rejection screeninglist.